Liverpool handed Alexander Isak blow as Benjamin Sesko makes transfer decision

Manchester United is reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in an apparent blow to Liverpool's chances of landing Alexander Isak this summer.

Newcastle will not allow Isak to leave without having a suitable replacement lined up, and Sesko is the Magpies' top target. However, The Athletic reports that Sesko wants to move to Old Trafford after United submitted a bid of $98 million (including add-ons) for the 22-year-old.

Newcastle is aware that Sesko wants to join United, and talks between the Red Devils and Leipzig over a deal for Sesko to move to Manchester are now advancing, with a resolution expected.

Sesko would be United's fourth signing of the summer after Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.

As for Newcastle, it remains to be seen whether it will turn its attention to another striker in a bid to replace Isak, or whether the club will try to fully reintegrate the 25-year-old ahead of the new season.

Isak returned to Newcastle's training ground on Monday after ruling himself out of the preseason tour of Asia.

The official reason for Isak's absence was that he had a slight fitness issue but it quickly emerged that the player wanted to explore a move away from Tyneside.

Newcastle is working on a deal to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford, but Wissa alone would not be enough to replace Isak, considering striker Callum Wilson also left Newcastle at the end of last season.

Liverpool saw a $146 million bid for Isak rejected last week, with the offer falling well below Newcastle's valuation of the player, which is believed to be closer to $200 million.

It was widely reported that the swift manner of Newcastle's rejection put Liverpool off from making an improved offer, but it is believed that the Reds do intend to return with an improved bid if they receive encouragement that a deal could be done.

Liverpool has already spent heavily this summer, with the Reds committing around $400 million to deals to sign Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili — Liverpool agreed to sign Mamardashvili last summer, but it counts as a 2025 transfer on the books.

However, those signings were made possible by the club's shrewd sales in the transfer market, and Tyler Morton's move to Lyon for $20 million on Tuesdsay took the money that Liverpool has raised through player sales this summer to around the $180 million mark.

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