NEWCASTLE have launched a £70million club-record bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
Eddie Howe’s side have immediately met the Bundesliga club’s asking price, with Manchester United also tussling for the 22-year-old’s signature.
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Newcastle have offered €75m (£65.5m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons — which matches Leipzig’s high valuation.
Sesko, who was today left out of Leipzig’s squad for their friendly against Atalanta, reportedly has a gentleman’s agreement in place with his club and they will not stand in his way should an appropriate offer arrive.
Both Man Utd and Newcastle have held talks with his representatives and it’s understood that the player is open to moving to either club.
Sesko, who was also linked with Arsenal, has scored 39 goals in 87 games for Leipzig since joining from Red Bull Salzburg two years ago.
Reports in Slovenia overnight suggested that Sesko had chosen Newcastle over Ruben Amorim’s side.
But other outlets claim Sesko still weighing up his options.
Man Utd were thought to be his preferred destination, but Newcastle offer Champions League football and are ready to close the deal right now.
While the Red Devils have no European football at all this season and will need to take time while negotiating a possible move.
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Man Utd’s interest is led by director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who previously worked with Sesko at RB Salzburg and has described the 6ft 4in forward as having the potential to become one of the world’s top strikers.
And if Sesko does indeed join the Tyneside outfit, it leaves the door open for Newcastle to let Alexander Isak move on for what will surely be a Premier League transfer record.
Isak has been left sweating on his dream move to Liverpool after the Premier League champions lowballed Newcastle with an opening offer.
Liverpool had a formal bid of £110million rejected by Newcastle, going in with a figure £10million less than what they had offered informally last month.
Newcastle have slapped a whopping £150million price tag on their prized asset Isak, who was their most expensive signing at £68m and scored 23 Prem goals last season.
Newcastle have made clear that no sale will go ahead unless a suitable replacement is secured – and Sesko is the ideal man.
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Manager Howe says Newcastle will always try do things “the right way” when it comes to transfers.
Howe said: “In terms of trying to upset players and all that kind of stuff, from my perspective, we can only talk about our conduct.
“We try to do things in the right way. Signing players is always complex. We just try to do what we think is right. I can’t talk about other clubs, that’s not for me to say.”
Arne Slot’s side had hijacked Newcastle’s move for Hugo Ekitike, who they signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79million last month.
Isak is pushing for a move and has been training alone at former club Real Sociedad, having pulled out of the Magpies’ pre-season tour with an apparent thigh issue.
Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions last season and has 16 goals in 41 senior appearances for Slovenia.
He has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland for his blend of height, pace and finishing — and is seen by Newcastle as a ready-made replacement for Isak.
But Man Utd could be forced to go back to the drawing board in their quest to find a prolific No9.
Amorim’s side struggled badly in front of goal last season and were hoping Sesko would be the final piece in a new-look forward line.
Newcastle were worried about losing out on Sesko, so shifted their attentions to Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins this week.
Newcastle have also been in talks with Brentford to sign Yoane Wissa, but Sesko will be the priority now.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Sesko and Watkins formed Man Utd’s two-man shortlist, but Villa are not looking to sell the England front man this summer.
Rasmus Hojlund’s future remains unclear, with the Dane insisting he wants to stay and fight for his place.
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