Newcastle United and Manchester United continue to battle it out for the signing of Benjamin Sesko this summer.
On Saturday, Newcastle United made a club record bid for Sesko, who was duly left out of the RB Leipzig squad for their pre-season friendly against Atalanta.
Still, Manchester United have been strongly linked with signing Sesko too, and have already beaten the Magpies to two signings this summer.
Indeed, both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo moved to Old Trafford after significant links with a move to St James’ Park.
It remains to be seen what happens, although Toon fans could be forgiven for having little confidence in the club when it comes to signing players coveted by other teams this summer.
Like the Alexander Isak to Liverpool saga, it’s an ever-changing situation. Still, Craig Hope provided an update from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Seoul.
- READ MORE: What Benjamin Sesko has ‘told teammates’ with RB Leipzig exit imminent after Newcastle United bid
How Newcastle United feel about Benjamin Sesko ‘agreeing’ to join them
Reports in Slovenia suggested Sesko had agreed to join Newcastle instead of Manchester United, which certainly sounded promising.
Still, while Hope said he had no reason to doubt the Slovenian-based journalist who broke that story, he revealed that Newcastle were not aware of that.
Hope did add that Newcastle did have some “renewed hope” that Sesko could be open to joining them, hence their bid.
“What I can say, what I know, is that it [agreeing to join Newcastle] hasn’t been communicated here on the ground to Newcastle,” said The Daily Mail journalist on a video uploaded to YouTube.
“They aren’t aware of that, but is there a little bit of renewed hope in the last 24/48 hours that Sesko could choose Newcastle?
“Yes there is, evidenced by the renewed offer that went in overnight on Friday.
“Now that offer, which totalled £70million has been – I don’t know if rejection is the right word – but certainly a negotiation on it.
“As we stand now, if Newcastle get the word that Benjamin Sesko wants to join them, I don’t think that part of the deal [agreeing a fee with RB Leipzig] will be a problem.
“That’s always been the message.”
Why RB Leipzig haven’t accepted Newcastle United’s club-record bid for Benjamin Sesko
Signing Sesko could mean Newcastle sell Isak to Liverpool, with fellow attacking target Yoane Wissa deemed as Callum Wilson’s potential replacement.
If Liverpool are waiting for Newcastle to sign a player to replace Isak before selling him, they could have plenty of time on their hands.
Indeed, Newcastle are struggling to sign players this summer, and the Sesko saga is the latest one for supporters to keep a desperate eye on.
Leipzig have not accepted Newcastle’s record offer but, as per Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, they want to further negotiate the payment terms.
Talks continue over the structure of the deal, with Sesko said to be open to joining either one of Newcastle or Manchester United.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
