NUFC & MU target Sesko omitted from Leipzig squad ahead of 'imminent departure'

RB Leipzig left out two of their star players for Saturday's pre-season friendly against Atalanta amid heavy speculation linking them both with moves to England.

Neither striker Benjamin Sesko — who scored 21 goals last season — and attacking midfielder Xavi Simons were named in manager Ole Werner's squad.

Sesko, 22, has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle this summer.

Arsenal are no longer interested after signing Viktor Gyokeres, but Old Trafford and St James' Park remain possible destinations, with reports in Slovenia suggesting the player himself would prefer Newcastle.

When breaking the news of Sesko's omission from the Leipzig squad on Saturday, journalist Florian Plettenberg cited his 'imminent departure' as the reason, adding that the player had reportedly already told team-mates he was leaving.

Simons, also 22, fuelled rumours of a move away from Red Bull Arena earlier this week when he removed Leipzig's name from his Instagram bio.

The Netherlands international recently emerged as a possible target for Chelsea, with the Stamford Bridge club believed to have made enquiries to Leipzig.

Tweeting just before it was confirmed that Simons had been left out on Saturday, Sky Sport Germany reporter Philipp Hinze wrote: 'Decided: Xavi will not be in Leipzig's squad today for the friendly against Atalanta.

'From Leipzig, it's said that the player is complaining about neck pain. Spicy detail: Yesterday, Xavi deleted "RB Leipzig" from his Instagram – and today he's suddenly missing with an injury.

'The signs are becoming clearer and clearer. The player's camp is pushing for a move.'

Simons has scored 21 goals in 76 games for Leipzig over the past two seasons.

Leipzig paid Paris Saint-Germain a fee in the region of £45million plus significant add-ons in January, having initially signed him on loan.

Simons made just 11 senior appearances as a PSG player.

However, he made a name for himself in the 2022-23 campaign when he scored 22 times during a spell with PSV Eindhoven in his home country.

Simons has been capped 28 times by the Netherlands, scoring five goals.

Sesko has 16 senior international goals in 41 appearances for Slovenia.

Man United's interest in Sesko has been led by director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who previously worked with him at RB Salzburg.

But Newcastle also view Sesko as a priority signing as star striker Alexander Isak continues to push for a move away from Tyneside.

Mail Sport revealed on Friday that Liverpool had a £110million bid for Isak rejected, with Newcastle holding out for £150m.

Isak is believed to be pushing for a move and has been training alone at former club Real Sociedad, having pulled out of the Magpies' pre-season tour with an apparent thigh issue.

Newcastle have made clear that no sale will go ahead unless a suitable replacement is secured — and Sesko has long been top of their wishlist.