Manchester United look increasingly close to securing the striker they’ve been chasing all summer — and the knock-on effect is already being felt across the Premier League.
With manager Ruben Amorim prioritising a new number nine to lead the line this season, United have focused all efforts on landing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, and their persistence now appears to be paying off.
The 22-year-old Slovenia international is understood to favour a move to Old Trafford despite interest from Newcastle United, and United are currently in pole position to wrap up a deal worth around £73.9million.
While United fans await the official confirmation, their success in the Sesko pursuit is already forcing rivals to rethink their summer strategies — particularly Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe’s side had been pushing hard to sign Sesko, identifying him as the ideal long-term striker to take them to the next level.
However, with the player leaning heavily towards Manchester United, Newcastle have begun looking elsewhere.
According to the Telegraph, Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has now emerged as a serious option for Newcastle, who are keen to act swiftly after seeing their primary target slipping away.
The Senegalese striker only joined Chelsea in 2023, but after an inconsistent campaign and the arrivals of Liam Delap, the Blues are now open to letting the 24-year-old leave.
Nicolas Jackson still has admirers within the Premier League, and Newcastle believe they can unlock his full potential with regular minutes and a more settled tactical setup.
Meanwhile, United remain focused on finalising the Sesko deal and could soon announce his signing soon.
With Amorim pushing for sharp, clinical options to elevate his attacking unit, Sesko looks like the man tasked with leading the charge.
For Newcastle, missing out on Sesko is a blow — but Jackson might just offer a different route forward.
