Newcastle 'most likely to seal Benjamin Sesko transfer' despite Man Utd being 'confident he'd pick Red Devils'

NEWCASTLE are leading the race to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.

Man Utd are also in the hunt for the 22-year-old, and reportedly feel confident of their chances should they find the money to fund a move for the Slovenian.

5 Benjamin Sesko has emerged as an attacking target for both Newcastle and Man Utd Credit: Getty

5 Newcastle may view the striker as a replacement for Alexander Isak, who appears to be inching closer to a move away from St James' Park Credit: PA

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According to reports from the Telegraph, Sesko is most likely to end up in the north-east this summer.

The Magpies are likely to have a hefty cash injection into their transfer war chest as Alexander Isak looks increasingly likely to make an expensive move away from the club.

If Isak - who Newcastle rate at around £150million - were to leave, his fee could finally turn around what has been a dreadful window for Eddie Howe.

The club were eager to sign priority target Hugo Ekitike from Frankfurt, but the French striker rejected them for Liverpool when they made a £79million offer to secure his services.

Liverpool had initially issued something of a transfer ultimatum to Newcastle - sell Isak to them OR they would take Ekitike.

However, now it seems as though Liverpool will take both after all, swooping in and agreeing terms with Isak after he requested to leave Newcastle.

Top of the list of potential replacements would be the £70million-rated Sesko, who has netted 39 goals in 87 appearances for RB Leipzig.

The 6ft 4in forward has been one of the brightest attacking prospects in Europe since breaking through at RB Salzburg in 2021.

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Man Utd are also looking at the Slovenian to further bolster their attacking options after their summer signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo.

The pair arrived for a combined £133.5 million from Wolves and Brentford respectively, leaving Utd's transfer kitty running low.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe gives update on Alexander Isak's Liverpool transfer

5 Eddie Howe will have to work hard to replace his star player - or convince him to stay - before the Premier League kicks off again in a matter of weeks Credit: PA

The club feel 'confident' that Sesko would choose a move to Manchester over Newcastle should they pursue the deal, according to reports from ESPN.

This is despite the prospect of Champions League football this season on offer in the north east.

But Utd view the current valuation of Sesko as prohibitively expensive, and they may be forced to sell assets if they want to challenge for the target man's signature.

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Ruben Amorim had identified several players for moves, including giving them time off training to negotiate their transfer deals.

Only Marcus Rashford has since moved, but that was on loan to Barcelona and only gains the club his wages in saved costs.

Their hesitancy to spend big on Sesko could also be in part due to their admiration of Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, with the Red Devils currently weighing up their options.

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