RB Leipzig has omitted two of their star players for the pre-season friendly for the season against Atalanta in the midst of heavy speculation that connects them both with movements to England.
Neither striker Benjamin Sesko – who scored 21 goals last season – and attacking midfielder Xavi Simons were mentioned in the team of manager Ole Werner.
Sesko, 22, is connected this summer to Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle.
Arsenal is no longer interested after signing Viktor Gyokeres, but Old Trafford and St James' Park remain possible destinations, with reports in Slovenia that suggest that the player would prefer NewCastle.
When the news of Sesko's omission of the Leipzig team on Saturday, journalist Florian Plettenberg mentioned his 'threatening departure' as the reason, adding that the player reportedly had told teammates that he was leaving.
Simons, also 22, fed rumors about a relocation of Red Bull Arena earlier this week when he removed the name of Leipzig from his Instagram -Bio.
Nederlands International recently emerged as a possible target for Chelsea, with the Stamford Bridge Club inquiring to Leipzig.
Twice just before it was confirmed that Simons had been omitted on Saturday, Sky Sport Germany reporter Philipp Hinze wrote: 'Decided: Xavi will not be in Leipzig's team today for the friendly against Atalanta.
'Van Leipzig is said to be complaining about neck pain. Spicy detail: yesterday Xavi “RB Leipzig” removed from his Instagram – and today he suddenly misses an injury.
'The signs are becoming clearer and clearer. The player's camp is called for a movement. '
Simons has scored 21 goals in 76 games for Leipzig in the last two seasons.
Leipzig paid Paris Saint-Germain compensation in the £ 45 million plus important add-ons in January, after he initially signed him on loan.
Simons only made 11 senior performances as a PSG player.
However, he made a name for himself in the 2022-23 campaign when he scored 22 times during an enchantment with PSV Eindhoven in his home country.
Simons is closed by the Netherlands 28 times and scored five goals.
Sesko has 16 senior international goals in 41 performances for Slovenia.
The interest of Man United in Sesko was led by director of recruiting Christopher Vivell, who previously worked with him at RB Salzburg.
But Newcastle also regards Sesko as a priority that is signed as a star starer Alexander Isak continues to insist on a relocation of Tyneside.
Mail Sport revealed on Friday that Liverpool had rejected an £ 110 million bid for Isak, with Newcastle persisting £ 150 million.
Isak is supposed to insist on a move and has only trained in the former club Real Sociedad, after he has achieved the pre-season tour of the Magpies with an apparent thigh problem.
Newcastle has made it clear that there will be no sale unless a suitable replacement is protected – and Sesko has long been top of their wish list.