3 weeks ago
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Newcastle United has identified RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko as a potential replacement for Liverpool target Alexander Isak this summer after the Swede informed the Magpies that he wants to leave.
According to The Athletic, Sesko has emerged as someone that Newcastle is considering as an alternative. Eddie Howe's team does not want to lose Isak, but it might be wise to get a contingency plan in place.
Any move for Sesko would be "highly challenging from a financial perspective", according to the report. But Newcastle would free up plenty of room to spend by letting Isak go for what would be a British record fee.
Sesko is a player who Newcastle has been monitoring long-term. Arsenal has also been linked with a move for him this summer but is thought to be closing in a move for Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP instead.
In all competitions, Sesko scored 21 goals in 45 appearances for Leipzig last season. At 22, he very much has the best years of his career ahead of him.
Newcastle did hold an interest in Hugo Ekitike earlier this summer, but he has since been confirmed as a new Liverpool player. The Frenchman was brought in from Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee that could reach $106 million (£79 million) including add-ons.
Ekitike has met up with his new teammates in Hong Kong and could make his first appearance for Liverpool during the Asia tour. But the Reds' spending is not necessarily done there.
A move for Isak could still be possible, not least given that there are several players who could be on their way out before the September 1 deadline. Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott are among those to be linked with exits.
But that would require Newcastle to change its stance on Isak not currently being for sale. Any more agitation could force the North East side's hand, though, and Sesko would represent a high-level replacement.
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"I'm confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said last week. "It's difficult for me to give 100 per cent clarity on any player.
"But Alex is happy at Newcastle. He loves the players, the staff, and the team. I'm confident he'll be here at the start of the season."
Liverpool.com says: Isak clearly fancies coming to Anfield and who can blame him? Newcastle is a team on the up, but the Reds are on a completely different level.
Working under Arne Slot and with Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah setting him up, Isak would thrive even more. A move Liverpool, obviously, would be hugely exciting for all parties.
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