Transfer boost for Chelsea as Xavi Simons is left OUT of RB Leipzig squad for friendly clash - with Benjamin Sesko also absent just hours after Newcastle's £70m bid

The German side are set to face Italian side Atalanta on Saturday afternoon and will be without their two young stars. Simons is edging closer to a move to west London with Chelsea after the Blues entered advanced negotiations and looked willing to match the expected asking price of around £60m ($81m). Meanwhile, Sesko's future has been a topic of discussion throughout the summer and on Saturday morning, Newcastle made their first bid of £70 million (€80m) for the Slovenian forward.

It is beginning to feel as if it is only a matter of time before both Simons and Sesko make permanent switches to the Premier League. The new question will now be how they fit into their respective sides. Chelsea already possesses numerous wingers and wide midfielders, and Cole Palmer occupies the number ten role that would most suit Simons - Enzo Maresca will be having selection headaches every weekend. As for Sesko, his move to Newcastle could spark a transfer domino that sees Alexander Isak move to Liverpool. The Reds' opening bid for the Swedish striker was rejected on Friday.

After a poor season last year, Leipzig will be frustrated to be losing their key attacking players. Simons has contributed to 36 goals (18 goals, 18 assists) in the past two Bundesliga seasons to complement Sesko's 34 goal contributions (27 goals, 7 assists). They will hope the new signing and Simons' former PSV team-mate, Johan Bakayoko, will be able to replicate similar numbers.

Leipzig have two games of pre-season left - one against Atalanta and then against RC Lens - before the new season starts. They will hope that after Simons and Sesko they do not lose any more of their star players as they look to finish higher than the 7th place they achieved last campaign.