Newcastle's new four-man striker shortlist as Man Utd annoy Liverpool with transfer move

Newcastle are expected to move on to other targets with Manchester United now the red-hot favourites to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig after submitting an offer for the sought-after striker.

The Magpies already had plans to acquire new No 9 this summer before transfer speculation linking Alexander Isak with Liverpool heated up. But unfortunately for Newcastle, they have suffered a number of setbacks in the market this summer.

They were keen on signing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt and bid for the Frenchman, only to then see him move to Anfield.

Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo are among the other attackers who have headed elsewhere after being courted by Newcastle this summer.

And the Magpies are now braced for more disappointment in their pursuit of Sesko, who is understood to favour a move to Manchester United.

READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Sesko agrees Man Utd deal, Jack Grealish offer, Nunez close to Liverpool exit

READ MORE: Eddie Howe statement on Alexander Isak as decision made on Liverpool transfer target

With that in mind, talkSPORT claim that Ollie Watkins, Nicolas Jackson, Yoane Wissa and Lois Openda are alternative targets that Newcastle are now considering.

Aston Villa's Watkins has previously been linked with both Arsenal and United, while interest in Wissa had emerged previously. The DR Congo forward has also been linked to Tottenham.

Jackson could yet leave Chelsea this summer and has also been linked with United. Openda, meanwhile, scored nine goals in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig, who are braced for the departure of Sesko.

With Newcastle struggling to acquire their preferred No 9 targets, Liverpool's hopes of landing Isak hang in the balance.

The Reds are believed to be willing to smash the British transfer record for a second time this summer to sign Isak after previously agreeing to pay a sum in the region of £116million including add-ons to acquire Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Sesko was regarded as the type of statement signing who would, potentially, soften the blow of losing a player of Isak's quality. But the Slovenia striker's preference for a move to United could scupper - or at the very least delay - Liverpool's swoop for Isak.

Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that Isak had been told to report for training alone following the conclusion of a family activity day after training away from the group in Spain recently.

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