Newcastle have seen Benjamin Sesko, their candidate to replace Alexander Isak, declare his preference to join Man United despite having a higher bid accepted by RB Leipzig.
With Isak making it clear he wants to leave this summer and join the Premier League champions, Newcastle have been on the hunt for his replacement and made advances on a deal for Sesko.
On Tuesday, Newcastle had a deal worth up to £74 million accepted by Leipzig, but the Athletic‘s David Ornstein has since reported that Sesko wants to join Man United and “all parties” are now aware.
Man United‘s first proposal included a lower initial fee than Newcastle (£65.3m vs. £71.8m), but with the player’s preference now known, talks continue to strike a deal.
Despite having Champions League football to offer, the rejection forces Eddie Howe’s side to turn back to other targets, which will inevitably have ramifications on Isak’s future.
File photo dated 07-01-2025 of Newcastle boss Eddie Howe (left), who has admitted that he is not in ìfull controlî over Alexander Isakís future. Issue date: Tuesday July 29, 2025.
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The Mail‘s Craig Hope stated on X that the latest Sesko development means “it will be back to other targets” and that Isak “can’t go, as it stands.”
Prior to Newcastle making their move for Sesko, Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins also featured on their list of attacking targets, with PSG striker Goncalo Ramos recently added.
Earlier in the summer, Sky Sports reported that Chelsea value Jackson at between £80 million and £100 million, while 29-year-old Watkins could demand in the region of £60 million.
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Newcastle‘s inability to land a new striker has held up the market as Hope reiterated that Isak “remains intent on a move to Liverpool,” but the Reds will only make a new offer once his replacement has been lined up.
Quite how long Isak is prepared to sit idle remains to be seen, with the player having already shown his hand by ostracising himself from the club’s pre-season tour and travelling to Spain to train.
In other news, This Is Anfield understands Liverpool are yet to reach an agreement with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal over a permanent deal for Darwin Nunez.