€80m fight for Benjamin Sesko reaches key stage as Newcastle battle Man Utd - Sky Sports

It’s looking like Newcastle United are focusing on signing Benjamin Sesko for some much-needed attacking firepower up top, with Alexander Isak's uncertain future a growing concern.

The 22-year-old has quickly become one of Europe’s most in-demand players, and he’s expected to leave RB Leipzig in pursuit of Champions League football this summer.

We’ve already made initial contact regarding a potential move to Tyneside, where he’s likely to inherit the main striker role pending Alexander Isak’s departure for Liverpool.

However, as has been the case all summer, another Big Six club is lurking in the shadows, and could once more swoop in and snatch up our target…

Sky reveal latest in Sesko race

It looks like it’ll be a closely-contested two horse race between ourselves and Man Utd as to who will sign Benjamin Sesko this summer.

According to Sky Sports' chief reporter in Germany, Florian Plettenberg, the Red Devils have presented their ‘project’ to the player and his camp, as Newcastle have done, with Man Utd "not giving up" in the race to sign the striker.

Plettenberg claims that Sesko is “impressed” by Man Utd’s intent to sign him. It has previously been mentioned that Sesko and RB Leipzig had a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ for the Slovenian to leave for around £65m should the right project emerge for him.

But Newcastle still look to be in the lead for his signature and are ready to submit a bid "at any time", with a formal move anticipated if Sesko indicates a willingness to sign.

RB Leipzig are demanding €80m (£69m), meaning Toon chiefs would have to offer a similar fee put forward for Hugo Ekitike if we wish to land the 6ft 5' striker.

So, who will he chose? Will it be another blow to a 'big six' rival or finally a statement of intent to combat Isak's likely exit?

Hopes and fears for Newcastle

Our talent ID the last few seasons, particularly for players on the continent, has been nothing short of stellar.

Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Sandro Tonali and of course Isak have each become world-beaters under Eddie Howe. And Sesko has all the tools to become the very next big star made on Tyneside.

Fabrizio Romano previously reported that we are ready to make him the face of the next phase of the project: and with a potentially vacant no.9 spot at a team in the Champions League, we may be simply too good a prospect for the 22-year-old to turn down.

But if this window has taught us anything, it’s not to get our hopes up when one of the ‘Big Six’ decides to get involved. To Manchester United alone we’ve lost out on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha!

A club like Manchester United and their seemingly endless ability to splash out on high wages and exorbitant fees is something ‘the other 14’ teams in the league simply can’t compete against.

So if we want to have our man, we best hope that our quick approach and passionate sell of the project to Sesko has been enough to convince him and his team that we are the right destination.