Reported Newcastle United transfer target Benjamin Sesko is expected to leave RB Leipzig this summer, it has been claimed. The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to St James' Park establishing himself as one of the sought-after strikers in European football.

Sesko, who joined Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg for £20million in July 2023, has scored 33 goals and added six assists in 72 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit. He netted 18 in 42 during his debut season in Germany and has followed that up with 15 in 30 this term.

Last summer, Sesko's long-term future was uncertain. Speculation was rife over a potential move to Arsenal, but the Slovenian stayed at Leipzig and signed a new five-year contract.

READ MORE: I've spoken to Newcastle's 'incredibly excited' new signing after smart move pulled off

READ MORE: Sunderland chief opens up on Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham transfer offers

But as part of that deal, there was a gentleman's agreement included that would allow Sesko to leave this summer. Now, a fresh update has been provided over Sesko's future.

According to Fabrizio Romano, there is an "understanding" between Sesko and Leipzig that the striker will have an opportunity to join a new club in the summer, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United interested. Last month, Sesko's agent Elvis Basanovic about his future - and revealed that a future move will only be considered if it is beneficial for the player's development.

He told Slovenian TV channel Arena Sport: "Benjamin Sesko is really shining, I think this is a phase of development. "I think we have already shown in the past that we are sticking to the development path, that we are not looking at current form.

"Our decision regarding the next step, the transfer, has never and will not stem from current form, but from who can offer Sesko the best platform for his development. "We can see that our decision was correct, six months later he is already a better striker than he was last season.

"What he lacks is experience. "We must not forget that he is only 21 years old, so we did not want him to go to the Premier League in the summer.

"There were concrete options, but we consciously decided to stay in the Bundesliga to give him time to progress and develop into a better striker." When asked on what price it would take for Leipzig to consider selling, Basanovic added: "I don't think Leipzig would be satisfied with any compensation at the moment, Leipzig does not want to sell Benjamin Sesko because they really value him immensely."

Newcastle did not make a signing in January because they were mindful of profit and sustainability rules. "We future plan and make sure that we control everything in terms of our PSR level, so I think we've done that. I think it's been successful in that regard," Magpies boss Eddie Howe said.

"I said right at the start, in the build up to the window, that it was not a case really of looking at incomings, it was a case of trying to manage outgoings really and trying to not weaken the squad to a point where the team's affected. "There's still no reason why we can't be successful but yes, hopefully the future looks a little bit brighter."