Benjamin Sesko is ready to snub Newcastle in favour of joining Manchester United, leaving Magpies icon Alan Shearer red-faced once again as the Red Devils look to get a deal agreed with RB Leipzig
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig looks o during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Sport-Club Freiburg at Red Bull Arena on October 26, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany
United are the favourites to secure a move for Benjamin Sesko(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
Alan Shearer might be feeling a touch embarrassed once more as Benjamin Sesko is opting for a move to Manchester United over Newcastle.
The Toon legend previously said at the end of last season the Red Devils would face difficulties in luring top talent due to their absence from the Champions League this season. Yet, this theory has been disproven by United's successful pursuits of their most sought-after players during the summer transfer window.
Sesko, 22, is the latest star who's ready to reject Champions League side Newcastle, despite the Magpies making two bids for the RB Leipzig forward – leaving Shearer with egg on his face again.
Newcastle's second bid, amounting to £78million, was given the nod by the Bundesliga outfit this week. However, it's now known that the Slovenian striker favours a switch to Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim's side presenting an offer valued at up to £73.8m, with personal terms not posing a problem.
Sesko's move heralds the second part of an epic climb-down for Shearer. After United's 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final, and their 15th-placed finish in the Premier League, the ex-Newcastle forward claimed they would find it tough to shop at the highest level, reports The Mirror.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: "They’re going to have to recruit very well because clearly a lot of these players are not good enough or not suited to that style of play. They’re a million miles off it on and off the pitch and I don’t know how they get out of this.
"How do they attract top players this summer and are they even going to be able to pay for them now they’re not in the Champions League? Why would big players want to go there?"
Alan Shearer looks on and puts his hand to his head
Alan Shearer claimed Manchester United would struggle to attract top players this summer
Despite Shearer's scepticism about United's appeal without Champions League football, it appears Sesko hasn't been deterred from joining the club. And contrary to Shearer’s opinion, Sesko has not been put off by the lack of any European football on offer at Old Trafford.
While United have swooped for Sesko, the Red Devils also prised Matheus Cunha from the north east club's grasp earlier in the summer, while Bryan Mbeumo also spurned the Toon for Old Trafford.
Despite signing former Red Devil Anthony Elanga for £55m from Nottingham Forest, and securing ex-Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan, Sesko is not the only player to turn down Newcastle boss Eddie Howe this summer.
French striker Hugo Ekitike joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt after interest from the Magpies. Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford later signed for Manchester City after being eyed by Howe. Both Ipswich's Liam Delap and Brighton's Joao Pedro, who were fancied by Newcastle, joined Chelsea.
The situation at Newcastle could deteriorate further, with Liverpool still considering a second bid for Alexander Isak after their initial £110m offer, including add-ons, was turned down.
Shearer may have to retract his previous claim that Isak would remain at Newcastle next season, following the Swedish international's expression of desire to leave the club.
England international and Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, 29, has emerged as a potential target for Newcastle following their reported interest last month, with the club's need for a top-quality striker becoming more pressing.
However, should a move for Sesko fail to materialise, Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has reportedly been earmarked by both United and Newcastle as an alternative. The Athletic reported that the Senegalese forward has been noted in contingency plans in the North West and North East.