Newcastle ready to smash transfer record for “monster”

Newcastle United could well be set to lose Alexander Isak this summer after the striker appears to be exploring other options.

The Swedish centre-forward has been with the Magpies since the summer of 2022, going on to score 62 goals in just 109 matches for the club. This works out as a goal every 1.7 matches, and if he does leave, Eddie Howe will have a massive void to fill.

In the past, the Toon have enjoyed the services of several top class forwards. Going as far back to the days of Hughie Gallacher, who scored over 100 goals and helped Newcastle win the First Division in the 1920s, to Jackie Milburn, who won three FA Cups as a player and was the club’s highest ever scorer – until a certain Alan Shearer rocked up at St James’ Park.

Before Shearer, however, the likes of Malcolm Macdonald and Andy Cole flexed their goalscoring prowess for the club during the 1970s and 1990s, but it was the former Southampton and Blackburn hitman who would eclipse everything his predecessors achieved.

Alan Shearer’s Newcastle heroics

By the time Shearer made the move from Blackburn to Newcastle in the summer of 1996 for a world record fee of £15m, he was already established as arguably the finest centre-forward in the Premier League.

He led Blackburn to the 1994/95 top-flight title and ended his spell with the club having scored 130 goals during his stint at Ewood Park.

Throughout the next decade, the Englishman would shatter records at the Magpies and come close to glory on several occasions. The Toon reached the FA Cup final in both 1998 and 1999, yet lost both to Arsenal and Manchester United.

A move to United in 1996 might have seen Shearer enhance his medal collection, but nothing was going to stop him from moving to his hometown team.

Shearer could do it all. Not only potent in the penalty box, the striker loved scoring incredible goals. Who can forget his stunning volley against Everton in 2002, or his excellent free-kick against Wimbledon in his first ever match for the Magpies.

All of this added up to the 63-cap centre-forward eventually breaking Milburn’s all-time scoring record during a game against Portsmouth towards the tail end of the 205/06 season.

Racing onto a flick from Shola Ameobi, Shearer powered home a trademark finish in front of the Gallowgate End to score goal number 201 for the club.

Despite having players such as Isak, Andy Carroll, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Obafemi Martins lead the line at one stage or another since Shearer retired, none have come close to matching the legendary striker and his achievements.

Perhaps if Isak remains for the next few years, he could have a chance at breaking the goal record, but it looks as though he won’t be staying at St James’ Park for long.

As such, Howe must be looking at alternatives to bolster his attacking department. Could he target a move for someone who has shades of Shearer?

Newcastle’s search for a striker

Howe has been working hard to bring in another striker this summer. Players such as Yoane Wissa, Julian Alvarez and Mike Biereth have all been targeted in recent weeks.

All three would certainly make an impact at Newcastle, no doubt about it, but it is their pursuit of another striker that could take the club to the next level.

Journalist Graeme Bailey shared an update on X regarding Howe eyeing a move for Benjamin Sesko, saying that the Magpies “have engaged in talks” with the striker “to try and convince him to move to St James’ Park.”

Bailey added that “Newcastle would be prepared to break their transfer record to land him.”

According to The Times, it could take a fee of around £70m in order to land Sesko this summer, which would see Newcastle break their club-record transfer fee, eclipsing the £63m spent on Isak.

If they manage to sign the RB Leipzig frontman, it would signify a major statement of intent by Newcastle ahead of next season.

Sesko has plenty of traits similar to Shearer, meaning he could be the ideal player to lead the club’s charge in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Why Newcastle must sign Benjamin Sesko

The 22-year-old has an excellent goalscoring record for someone so young. Indeed, across 210 senior matches, the Slovenian has found the back of the net 90 times.

Sesko has scored 39 of those at Leipzig, with several being stunners. Against Bayern Munich last season, he netted a sublime strike with the outside of his foot from around 25 yards out to open the scoring.

He loves powerful efforts from outside the penalty area, just like Shearer in his pomp, with the former England skipper renowned for his ability to fire home from all angles and any distance – and with venom at that.

Much like Shearer was the main man at St James’ Park, Sesko has become a focal point of Leipzig’s attack since joining them in the summer of 2023. He is a “monster” of a striker, in the words of by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Shearer himself likes what he sees, having also noted comparisons between the Leipzig man and a certain Erling Haaland:

“He has the same frame. He is as quick as he is. He can certainly travel with the ball like he can. “He is very good at scoring goals. He is very good at bringing people into the game, so I get the comparison.

“I like him a lot. I know he is very young – he is only 21 years of age so he’s got a lot of learning to do – but without doubt there is a top-class footballer in there.”

Hailed as “phenomenal” by scout Antonio Mango, Sesko shone for his club last season. He finished the campaign with 13 league goals and a goal conversion percentage of 19% in the Bundesliga.

Furthermore, the player also created five big chances and recorded five assists, while succeeding with 55% of his dribble attempts.

It was yet another excellent season for the young striker and it is evident he is going from strength to strength.

Leipzig missed out on Champions League qualification, meaning Sesko will surely be seeking a move to a club where he can showcase his talents on the biggest stage in club football.

Newcastle would certainly provide the stage for the Slovenian, that’s for sure. If Isak does leave, Sesko would have some pretty big boots to fill.

Given his displays on the continent over the previous few years, the youngster wouldn’t be fazed at this prospect.

In the process, he could turn out to be one of the club’s finest strikers since Shearer. No pressure, eh?