Newcastle United look set to miss out on yet another target in Benjamin Sesko, so have once again turned their attention elsewhere for a new striker.
The summer just keeps on going from bad to worse for Newcastle United as Benjamin Sesko appears to be the latest in a long line of targets they have missed out on.
It has emerged that Newcastle believe Sesko is heading to Manchester United, joining two more players the Magpies wanted in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
The news comes after Newcastle lost their third friendly in succession on Wednesday, infuriating fans as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to a K League XI in South Korea.
Though the exciting debut of Park Seung-soo did give Newcastle fans something to cheer about, a potential injury to Joe Willock and now the Sesko revelation have wiped them straight back off again.
With possible targets beginning to run out, amid Alexander Isak’s continued desire to leave, Newcastle have now added Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz to their shortlist.
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Newcastle United add Fulham star Rodrigo Muniz to transfer short list
Newcastle correspondent Craig Hope was the one to break the news that Newcastle internally expect Sesko to move to Old Trafford in the Daily Mail.
The scope of Newcastle’s interest in Muniz is then revealed, too. It’s reported that Newcastle have made an ‘enquiry’ but it remains ‘informal’ at this stage.
It’s stated that ‘no high-level talks have taken place’ though ‘intermediaries’ have had discussions about a possible switch, with a £40m price tag mooted.
Fulham do want to keep hold of Muniz this summer, with the Brazilian attracting heavy interest from Leeds United throughout the window.
Newly-promoted Leeds saw an opening bid in the region of £30m rejected in June, with Fulham said to be holding out for at least £50m.
It’s been reported that Muniz, who is second choice behind Raul Jimenez at Craven Cottage, would be open to an exit.
Alan Shearer praise for Rodrigo Muniz
Muniz may seem like a downgrade in the eyes of fans, especially after links with Sesko, Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro this summer.
But Muniz has shown his talent in the Premier League, scoring 17 times in 57 appearances for Fulham.
Muniz even earned praise from Newcastle legend Alan Shearer after bagging a brace in a victory over Bournemouth in 2024.
Shearer said on Match of the Day: “He really was a handful. Tough to play against, horrible to play against in fact. That’s always a good thing for a centre-forward, that’s what you have to be.
“He was strong, he ran the channels, he brought players into the game and he really upset the Bournemouth defenders in every way, in everything he was doing.
He was willing to run in behind and on one of the occasions he does it, they get their first goal because of it.
“They [Fulham] got balls into the box for him and he was first to react. He understood the situation and got there first. He was barging defenders out of the way and I really enjoyed his performance.
“That’s what you have to do.
“We haven’t seen enough of him because he’s been out on loan or injured or whatever it is, but he has got a real opportunity to stake a claim and stay in there [in the team].
“He’s got to produce that every week now. I mean, they have signed Armando Broja on loan but Muniz has got an opportunity to stay in there if he keeps performing like that.”
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