Benjamin Sesko says YES to Man Utd with striker transfer now just one step away

Benjamin Sesko has said YES to joining Manchester United, putting them in pole position for his signature. Sesko, 22, has become the latest player to snub Newcastle, who made two bids for the RB Leipzig star.

Newcastle's second offer, totalling £78million, was accepted by the German side earlier this week. But after a summer spent missing out on their top targets, the Magpies have suffered rejected once again.

All parties are now aware of Sesko's preference to move to Old Trafford, as first reported by the Athletic. Ruben Amorim's side offered a total package of £73.8m, so they'll need to negotiate with Leipzig in order to reach a club-to-club agreement.

Personal terms aren't expected to be an issue, as the Red Devils' pursuit of a striker nears a successful conclusion. Sesko - who Old Trafford chiefs have had on their radar since he was playing for Slovenian club Domzale aged 16 - was a target for Arsenal before the Gunners opted to sign Viktor Gyokeres.

In that case, it was Amorim who missed out, having coached the Swede at Sporting Lisbon. They then looked into signing Ollie Watkins, although Aston Villa were demanding £60m.

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At 29, the Red Devils didn't feel that he represented good value. England international Watkins could now be an option for Newcastle, who are preparing for life without Alexander Isak after he informed club officials that he wants to leave.

Liverpool are preparing a second offer for Isak after their opening bid of £120m, inclusive of add-ons, was rejected last week. Like Sesko, Isak has been training alone amid the race to sign him.

The Slovenian's move to Manchester could also signal the departure of Rasmus Hojlund, who's available for just £30m after two underwhelming seasons. Sesko would be part of a new-look forward line at Old Trafford including summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

The pair were both linked with moves to Newcastle but chose to work with Amorim, despite the Magpies boasting Champions League football. Other targets who Newcastle missed out on include James Trafford, Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro.

Eddie Howe and Co. will now have pursue alternative targets. Howe told the Chronicle on Friday: "We are looking at the best players we can get. We are only looking at the best we can get, I see all situations open and available to us.

"I feel that is the only way we are going to get where we want to go, which is to maximise quality over quantity. That is the way it has always been, the way we work, we try to improve, we have don it pretty well to this point.

"It has been a challenging summer as you know. We have missed out on loads of different targets for different reasons. But we are still very competitive and we are still in there trying to bring good players to the club, that won't change until the window shuts."

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