Newcastle expect an answer from Benjamin Sesko as to whether he wants to join them within 48 hours, talkSPORT understands.
The Magpies are confident they can reach an agreement with RB Leipzig, but do not want the saga to drag on.
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That is despite the Toon recently having a club-record offer for the 22-year-old turned down by the Bundesliga side over the weekend.
Eddie Howe‘s side submitted an offer of €75million (£65m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.
Leipzig ultimately knocked back the bid as they hold out for at least an initial £70m fee – and a future sell-on clause.
It’s the same price that Leipzig quoted Arsenal earlier in the window.
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As a result, the Gunners turned their attention to signing Viktor Gyokeres instead after sporting director Andrea Berta was unable to drive the price down.
Sesko has already told his Leipzig teammates he expects to leave this summer.
He banged in 21 goals in all competitions last season to bring his Leipzig tally to 39 strikes in 87 matches in all competitions in his opening two years in Germany.
Manchester United are still in the mix for Sesko with Leipzig awaiting a formal offer for the Slovenia international.
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim has identified the youngster as a key target where he could spearhead United’s new-look attack alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
As reported earlier on Saturday by talkSPORT, United were willing to offer Rasmus Hojlund as a sweetener to land Sesko.
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However, the Dane does not want to make the move as he looks to fight for his career at United.
Though it is believed that United are ready to cash in on Hojlund, and would prepare to accepts bids of £30m – £42m less than what they paid for him from Atalanta in 2023.
Does Benjamin Sesko affect Alexander Isak’s future?
If Newcastle can complete the signing of Sesko it is believed they would be more open to selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool.
The champions had an offer in excess of £110m rejected for Isak last week.
But they remain keen to sign him, with the Sweden international open to a potential switch to Anfield.
talkSPORT understands that Newcastle value Isak at around £150m – just three years after signing him from Real Sociedad for £63m.
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Who have Newcastle missed out on this season?
Should Sesko end up at United instead of Newcastle, he would become the latest player that has snubbed a switch to St James’ Park.
They have seen defender Dean Huijsen opt to join Real Madrid when he departed Bournemouth earlier this summer.
Meanwhile Brazilian forward Joao Pedro ended up at Chelsea from Brighton, with Liam Delap also ending up at Stamford Bridge following Ipswich’s relegation.
Elsewhere, Liverpool hijacked their move to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, with Mbeumo signing for United from Brentford.
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And goalkeeper James Trafford decided to return to Manchester City, leading to Aaron Ramsdale arriving from Southampton on loan.
Newcastle’s only other signing this window has been Anthony Elanga, having paid Nottingham Forest £55m to bring in the winger.
