Newcastle draw up two-man shortlist after Benjamin Sesko snub

Newcastle are resigned to Benjamin Sesko choosing Manchester United over them, talkSPORT understands. The Magpies are now ready to move on to other targets and they have drawn up a shortlist of alternative strikers. Howe and Newcastle have admitted defeat in the hunt for SeskoGetty They’re now having to look at alternatives to the Leipzig strikerGetty Man United are in advanced talks over a move for Sesko after tabling an offer of €75m plus €10m add-ons. Leipzig were willing to accept Newcastle’s offer worth a guaranteed £70m, but Sesko was holding out for a move to Old Trafford. The Slovenian has already agreed personal terms with the Red Devils. Newcastle’s list of alternatives to Sesko includes Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and the striker’s Leipzig teammate, Lois Openda. They have also been offered Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson and are still keen to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford. Watkins, who has been linked with a move to Man United this summer too, starred once again in the Premier League last season. He scored 16 times and provided eight assists, meaning he’s now hit double digits for goals in every campaign for Aston Villa. In total in the top-flight, Watkins has 75 goals to his name and has built a reputation as one of the best frontmen in the league. However, with his contract at Villa running until 2028, it may be tough to pry him away from the club this summer. Villa value the England international at £60million. Watkins is on Newcastle’s list of targets after missing out on SeskoGetty Sesko’s teammate Openda is now a potential option for Newcastle tooAFP As well as Watkins, Newcastle have also added Openda to their list of potential targets after missing out on Sesko. The Belgian is Sesko’s teammate at Leipzig and has often started up front alongside the 6″5′ Slovenian. He netted nine goals and provided nine assists in the Bundesliga last season, along with a sole strike in the Champions League. That took his overall Leipzig tally up to 41 goals in 90 appearances for the club in all competitions since joining in July 2023. For comparison, Sesko joined the German side in that same summer, and he’s similarly found the net 39 times in 87 games. Openda has also been linked with Bayern Munich, but Newcastle may now swoop in to try and bring him to England. Jackson could leave Chelsea, with Newcastle offered the chance to sign himGetty Who else is on Newcastle’s list? As mentioned, Chelsea’s Jackson has been offered to Newcastle and he could end up being the alternative to Sesko. talkSPORT understands that the Senegal international has also been offered to Italian giants AC Milan. Jackson looks set to depart Stamford Bridge this summer after seemingly falling down the pecking order. The Blues have signed forwards Liam Delap and Joao Pedro in this window, likely reducing his gametime this season. It means Chelsea are open to selling Jackson for the right price, which is believed to be in the region of £80million. They could also be open to loaning out the 24-year-old, but would likely want an obligation to buy at the end of the deal. Wissa remains an option for Newcastle now that Sesko is off the tableGetty Newcastle also remain keen on signing Yoane Wissa, who wants the move from Brentford to St. James’ Park. Wissa boycotted training with the Bees as he looked to force through a transfer to their Premier League rivals last month. However, he has since returned amid a lack of movement in the deal after seeing two bids for him rejected. Brentford had previously been adamant that Wissa could not leave the club this summer after losing Bryan Mbuemo. But that stance is now believed to have changed, planning to soften their approach to negotiations if they find a replacement. Newcastle would likely have to pay upwards of £50m should they want to move for Wissa as a Sesko alternative.

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Newcastle are resigned to Benjamin Sesko choosing Manchester United over them, talkSPORT understands.

The Magpies are now ready to move on to other targets and they have drawn up a shortlist of alternative strikers.

Man United are in advanced talks over a move for Sesko after tabling an offer of €75m plus €10m add-ons.

Leipzig were willing to accept Newcastle’s offer worth a guaranteed £70m, but Sesko was holding out for a move to Old Trafford.

The Slovenian has already agreed personal terms with the Red Devils.

Newcastle’s list of alternatives to Sesko includes Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and the striker’s Leipzig teammate, Lois Openda.

They have also been offered Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson and are still keen to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford.

Watkins, who has been linked with a move to Man United this summer too, starred once again in the Premier League last season.

He scored 16 times and provided eight assists, meaning he’s now hit double digits for goals in every campaign for Aston Villa.

In total in the top-flight, Watkins has 75 goals to his name and has built a reputation as one of the best frontmen in the league.

However, with his contract at Villa running until 2028, it may be tough to pry him away from the club this summer.

Villa value the England international at £60million.

As well as Watkins, Newcastle have also added Openda to their list of potential targets after missing out on Sesko.

The Belgian is Sesko’s teammate at Leipzig and has often started up front alongside the 6″5′ Slovenian.

He netted nine goals and provided nine assists in the Bundesliga last season, along with a sole strike in the Champions League.

That took his overall Leipzig tally up to 41 goals in 90 appearances for the club in all competitions since joining in July 2023.

For comparison, Sesko joined the German side in that same summer, and he’s similarly found the net 39 times in 87 games.

Openda has also been linked with Bayern Munich, but Newcastle may now swoop in to try and bring him to England.

As mentioned, Chelsea’s Jackson has been offered to Newcastle and he could end up being the alternative to Sesko.

talkSPORT understands that the Senegal international has also been offered to Italian giants AC Milan.

Jackson looks set to depart Stamford Bridge this summer after seemingly falling down the pecking order.

The Blues have signed forwards Liam Delap and Joao Pedro in this window, likely reducing his gametime this season.

It means Chelsea are open to selling Jackson for the right price, which is believed to be in the region of £80million.

They could also be open to loaning out the 24-year-old, but would likely want an obligation to buy at the end of the deal.

Newcastle also remain keen on signing Yoane Wissa, who wants the move from Brentford to St. James’ Park.

Wissa boycotted training with the Bees as he looked to force through a transfer to their Premier League rivals last month.

However, he has since returned amid a lack of movement in the deal after seeing two bids for him rejected.

Brentford had previously been adamant that Wissa could not leave the club this summer after losing Bryan Mbuemo.

But that stance is now believed to have changed, planning to soften their approach to negotiations if they find a replacement.

Newcastle would likely have to pay upwards of £50m should they want to move for Wissa as a Sesko alternative.