Benjamin Šeško’s release clause set after Liverpool link up, while Bruno Guimarães ‘says goodbye’

Liverpool said a lot of goodbyes at Anfield yesterday. The most emotional was, of course, reserved for Jürgen Klopp, but many other important figures from this era of success also said goodbye.

This included Pep Lijnders, Klopp’s long-time assistant and indeed a presence at Liverpool prior to the German’s arrival. He is set to take over at Red Bull Salzburg – the club that produced Benjamin Šeško, who has since won a subsequent transfer to RB Leipzig.

The Bundesliga side have finally agreed on the release clause that will be active for Šeško in the upcoming transfer window. Premier League sides will be taking note, with Liverpool linked since his days in Austria.

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Meanwhile, potential departures from Liverpool’s rivals are starting to take shape. Bruno Guimarães looks increasingly likely to leave Newcastle United amid interest from Premier League giants.

The departures of both Šeško and Guimarães have the potential to spark Anfield interest. Here, Liverpool.com scans the Premier League and across the continent to see what’s happening at Liverpool’s rivals.

RB Leipzig accept Benjamin Šeško’s release clause

The Red Bull network is renowned for its conveyor belt of talent. Indeed, Liverpool have benefited more than most, signing the likes of Ibrahima Konaté, Dominik Szoboszlai, Naby Keïta and Takumi Minamino directly from clubs backed by the energy drink giant. Sadio Mané also came through the system before eventually arriving at Anfield.

Liverpool have previously been linked with Šeško. However, Arsenal are believed to be in pole position for the striker, making him a top target (football.london).

And according to Sky Germany, a protracted process to agree a summer release clause has finally been completed. Having penned new terms with RB Leipzig until 2028, Šeško will be free to leave if a bid of $71m (£56m/€65m) is received.

The release clause is described as “performance linked”, suggesting the value could fluctuate in future windows depending on Šeško’s performance. This season, the striker finished with 19 goals and three assists in all competitions.

Liverpool.com says: It’s a relatively high price for a striker who hasn’t broken out since leaving the Austrian ranks. But Šeško’s promise is clear to everyone.

Whether Liverpool decide to get involved remains to be seen. He’ll likely feel there’s better value to be found, but it wouldn’t be the first time he’s put his faith in a young Red Bull talent.

Bruno Guimarães “says goodbye” and Eddie Howe intervenes

Another player with both release clause intrigue and previous links to Liverpool (Mirror) is Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimarães. As with Šeško, Arsenal are expected to be at the front of the queue here too.

Eddie Howe expressed his hope that Guimarães will stay. But many noted that his gestures to the Newcastle faithful on the final day of the season looked very much like a farewell.

He raised both hands to the Brentford travel support, looking emotional as he did so. But Howe moved to downplay the significance.

“I don’t think it’s a farewell wave,” he said, via Newcastle World . “I think Bruno probably does that a lot of the time, but it can be interpreted in a way if the people watching decide that’s the case.

“I certainly, for my part, hope it isn’t. He is an integral part of what we do, an inspirational player and we are desperate to keep him.”

Liverpool.com says: To be fair, Howe is right that the context of the transfer links probably made people read too much into Guimarães’ “goodbye”. Liverpool saw a similar thing to the people who saw the tears of Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold and concluded that they must be on their way.

But farewell gesture aside, it still seems likely that Guimarães will be on the move. Newcastle need to make a big sale, he is attracting interest from top clubs and there is a release clause in place, albeit a steep one.