NEWCASTLE UNITED have made an improved £70million-plus offer to beat Manchester United to Benjamin Sesko.
The Magpies have earmarked the RB Leipzig hitman as a replacement for wantaway striker Alexander Isak.
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But they know the Red Devils are also lurking as Ruben Amorim attempts to totally revamp his front line.
Newcastle had a club-record for the Slovenia international, who bagged 21 goals and six assists last season, knocked back last week.
But, having reportedly received encouragement from the player, Toon chiefs have now followed up with a bigger offer of around £70million plus £8.4million in add-ons.
United are yet to bid for Sesko despite reports the striker has also suggested he would be willing to join.
And Newcastle are keen to get an answer one way or another within the next 24 hours, so they can push ahead with alternative plans if Sesko is determined to join Man Utd.
The Toon have also been buoyed by RB Leipzig’s response, with David Ornstein claiming the German side would prefer Sesko moves to Newcastle at this stage.
A deal would be good news for Alexander Isak, who is keen to join Liverpool.
The Reds are said to be ready to smash the British transfer record when the Swede becomes available.
And Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is then likely to look to splash what’s left of that £120m-plus fee on Brentford‘s Yoane Wissa.
United could still throw a spanner in the works, with Amorim hoping to link Sesko with new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in a totally new-look attack.
It is thought the Red Devils would first have to find a buyer for flop £72m striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Sesko was left out of the matchday squad for Leipzig’s pre-season friendly defeat to Atalanta last Saturday.
And Leipzig bigwig Marcel Schafer admitted the club omitted him from the squad due to the interest he’s garnering from United and Newcastle.
He told BILD: “In Benji’s case, several clubs have shown concrete interest.
“And based on the overall situation, we have decided that he will not play today.
“But, I would like to emphasise this clearly: That does not mean that he will not play next week either.
“I think we had the same situation with Benji last year.
“Everyone knows the outcome. So I want to make it clear that he’s not heading off to just any club now.
“Due to the very concrete interest from several clubs, we’ve decided for today that he won’t play.”
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