Benjamin Sesko makes Manchester United transfer decision as Newcastle prepare for battle | OneFootball

The in-demand striker has made it clear where he does - and doesn’t - want to go this summer

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko would rather join Manchester United over Newcastle this summer.

Newcastle’s preparations for the new season have been rocked with Alexander Isak informing the club of his desire to explore a move away amid links to Premier League champions Liverpool.

Isak, who scored 23 Premier League goals last season, has been left out of the Magpies’ travelling squad for a pre-season tour of Asia and it remains to be seen if he will play for the club again.

If Isak was to depart, Sesko has been earmarked as a direct replacement, with The Athletic claiming Newcastle hold a long-term interest in the in-demand striker.

In demand: Benjamin Sesko

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When negotiating with Arsenal, Leipzig were hoping to land a fee between £68m and £85m. That price is said to have dropped now, with offers of £60.6m (€70m) now considered viable.

Newcastle would be confident of having an advantage over Man Utd in a direct battle for Sesko's signature given they can offer Champions League football next season while Ruben Amorim’s side are not in any European competition.

That does not appear to be the case, though, as German journalist Guido Schäfer says Sesko has already signalled his preference to move to Old Trafford over St James' Park.

But clubs have registered their interest in the 22-year-old, though direct club-to-club talks are yet to begin.