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Amid Liverpool's interest in Alexander Isak, Newcastle United has lodged a formal bid worth $93 million (£70 million) including add-ons for Benjamin Sesko, the RB Leipzig forward.
According to Sky Sports, the bid matches what the Bundesliga side is demanding for the Slovenian. Around $87 million (£65 million) would be guaranteed, with a small amount of performance-related bonuses on top.
Newcastle and Manchester United have both made it clear to Sesko that they want to sign him. But it was reported in Slovenia overnight that the player had picked St James' Park after the Magpies pitched their plan to the 22-year-old.
For Liverpool to have any chance of signing Isak, it was always likely that Newcastle would have to get replacements in. Even then, it is not a guarantee — but surely becomes likelier.
Earlier today, Eddie Howe was asked about Newcastle's interest in Sesko. But he refused to give anything away and claimed that the work on transfers was being done back in England, leaving him out of the loop.
"I am sorry to sound like a broken record: I am aware of what is happening, but I am not dealing with it," Howe said, via Chronicle Live. "I woke up today and had two training sessions, and then came straight here.
"I am finding out what is happening after it has happened. We will try to bring the best to the football club — I will make that clear — but I can't talk about individual targets."
Already this summer, Newcastle has been turned down by the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro. And it is understandable that the North East club would want to secure another number nine before softening its stance on Isak.
"We are looking at the best players we can get," Howe added. "We are only looking at the best we can get. I see all situations open and available to us.
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"I feel that is the only way we are going to get where we want to go, which is to maximize quality over quantity. That is the way it has always been, the way we work, we try to improve, and we have done it pretty well to this point.
"It has been a challenging summer, as you know. We have missed out on loads of different targets for different reasons.
"But we are still very competitive and we are still in there trying to bring good players to the club, that won't change until the window shuts."
Liverpool.com says: Isak moving away from Newcastle is plausible, but not unless the Magpies get players in to replace him. Losing him without having someone else lined up to come in would be madness.
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