Newcastle are pursuing a deal for Benjamin Sesko, but have established a back-up plan if they cannot land the RB Leipzig striker.
The future of Sesko has become one of the transfer sagas of the summer, with Arsenal interest in the forward now seeming like a dim and distant past.
The Gunners snapped up Viktor Gyokeres instead and now it is a race between Newcastle and Manchester United for the Slovenian’s signature.
The Magpies have made a bid of a £69.8m for Sesko and seen it rejected by Leipzig as the German club sense a bidding war in the offing with the Red Devils.
Manchester United are yet to make an official bid for the in-demand forward, and it seems that Sesko must make a decision on which Premier League club he wants to join and then a deal will be struck.
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If the 41-cap Slovenia international does fancy Old Trafford over St James’ Park then the Magpies are considering other options and are eyeing up the Parc des Princes.
The Daily Mail report that PSG striker Goncalo Ramos is on Newcastle’s list of targets, should they fail in their attempts to sign Sesko.
PSG open to bids for Ramos
Still just 24 years old, the Portuguese forward joined PSG from Benfica in the summer of 2023 and has since scored 33 goals in 86 appearances across all competitions.
The 16-cap Portugal international scored 19 goals in all competitions last season as PSG enjoyed a stunning treble-winning campaign.
He featured regularly, but often as a substitute, starting just 12 Ligue 1 games last season and only one in the Champions League.
The Mail’s report states that PSG are open to letting Ramos leave this summer. An asking price has not been suggested, but it is very likely to be less than Leipzig’s for Sesko.
Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins is also believed to be on Newcastle’s radar as they look to improve on a frustrating summer so far in the transfer market.
Howe unsure on Isak’s future
This all comes as the future of Alexander Isak remains in the balance, with Liverpool still interested in a big-money move for the Magpies superstar.
The 25-year-old Swede has had his head turned by the Premier League champions’ interest this summer.
Isak did not travel to Asia for Newcastle’s pre-season tour due to what the club called a ‘minor thigh injury’, only for his interest in a move to emerge along with the fact he has been training at former club Real Sociedad.
The Reds have seen a bid of £110m turned down by Newcastle, but may return with an improved offer.
The Magpies reportedly want £150m for their star striker and Liverpool are unlikely to meet that demand, but they will hope to convince Newcastle to do business with Isak wanting to leave.
Eddie Howe’s team drew with Tottenham in a friendly on Sunday and the manager was asked whether Isak will return to training in the coming week.
‘Of course I’d like him to be [back in Newcastle training]. Whether he will be, I don’t know at this moment in time,’ said the boss.
On potential transfers he added: ‘There’s not much time, especially when you consider you’ve got to get whoever comes in, and I’m talking any position here, up to speed with how we paly, intricacies of what we do. It’s not easy.
‘We’re still actively in the market. We’re looking for players.
‘Obviously we lost Callum Wilson who in himself is a massive loss and then you add that to Alex who’s not been with us. We’ve certainly felt their absence.’