Newcastle look set to miss out on a deal for Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United which could in turn prevent Liverpool from pressing ahead with plans to sign Alexander Isak
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
Newcastle are set to miss out on a deal for Benjamin Sesko(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
Newcastle are expected to move on to other targets with Manchester United now the red-hot favourites to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig after submitting an offer for the sought-after striker.
The Magpies already had plans to acquire new No 9 this summer before transfer speculation linking Alexander Isak with Liverpool heated up. But unfortunately for Newcastle, they have suffered a number of setbacks in the market this summer.
They were keen on signing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt and bid for the Frenchman, only to then see him move to Anfield.
Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo are among the other attackers who have headed elsewhere after being courted by Newcastle this summer.
And the Magpies are now braced for more disappointment in their pursuit of Sesko, who is understood to favour a move to Manchester United.
With that in mind, talkSPORT claim that Ollie Watkins, Nicolas Jackson, Yoane Wissa and Lois Openda are alternative targets that Newcastle are now considering.
Aston Villa's Watkins has previously been linked with both Arsenal and United, while interest in Wissa had emerged previously. The DR Congo forward has also been linked to Tottenham.
Jackson could yet leave Chelsea this summer and has also been linked with United. Openda, meanwhile, scored nine goals in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig, who are braced for the departure of Sesko.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Everton FC at St James' Park on May 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Liverpool continue to be linked with Alexander Isak but Newcastle will not sell without signing a quality striker of their own
With Newcastle struggling to acquire their preferred No 9 targets, Liverpool's hopes of landing Isak hang in the balance.
The Reds are believed to be willing to smash the British transfer record for a second time this summer to sign Isak after previously agreeing to pay a sum in the region of £116million including add-ons to acquire Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 30: Ollie Watkins #11 of Aston Villa celebrates his goal during the second half of an international friendly between St. Louis City SC and Aston Villa at Energizer Park on July 30, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Ollie Watkins is the latest No 9 to be targeted by Newcastle(Image: Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Sesko was regarded as the type of statement signing who would, potentially, soften the blow of losing a player of Isak's quality. But the Slovenia striker's preference for a move to United could scupper - or at the very least delay - Liverpool's swoop for Isak.
Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that Isak had been told to report for training alone following the conclusion of a family activity day after training away from the group in Spain recently.
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