Newcastle United are looking at other strikers as they look increasingly likely to miss out on key target Benjamin Sesko.
The Magpies made a substantial bid of €80m (£69.5m), plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons for the RB Leipzig forward but Manchester United are now favourites to win the race for his signature.
A deal is not done and Newcastle have not given up hope that Sesko will still choose St James’ Park over Old Trafford, but Manchester is now his more likely destination after the Red Devils’ offer of €85m (£73.8m)..
It has been a very difficult summer so far for Newcastle, with Anthony Elanga the only major signing so far, arriving from Nottingham Forest for £55m.
They are also dealing with uncertainty over the future of star striker Alexander Isak, who missed the pre-season tour of Asia and then went to train with former club Real Sociedad as he pushes for an exit.
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The Swedish striker is keen on a move to Liverpool, while the Magpies have rejected a bid from the Premier League champions, not wanting to sell their most valuable asset.
With Isak angling for a move, the departure of Callum Wilson at the end of his contract and now Sesko leaning towards Manchester United, manager Eddie Howe is in a very precarious position when it comes to strikers.
TalkSPORT report that four names are now being considered by Newcastle as they look to bolster their forward ranks before the Premier League season starts in less than two weeks.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson and Brentford striker Yoane Wissa are the Premier League options the Magpies are looking at.
Newcastle are also considering another RB Leipzig star in Lois Openda, the Belgium international who scored nine Bundesliga goals last season.
The 25-year-old has spent two seasons with Leipzig after signing from Lens in 2023. His first campaign was brilliant, scoring 24 league goals in 34 appearances, but he could not replicate those numbers last time round.
Whether RB Leipzig would be willing to let Openda go is yet to be seen as they are set to lose Sesko and Xavi Simons appears on the verge of joining Chelsea.
Watkins has also been a target for Manchester United this summer but will no longer be if the Red Devils complete the signing of Sesko.
The Sun report that the England international is open to leaving Aston Villa and the club may feel the need to cash in as they are in danger of breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Wissa is certainly keen on a move to Newcastle from Brentford, but the Bees do not want to let him go after already selling Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United this summer.
It has been a seriously disruptive time for Brentford, losing manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham and captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal as well, so a Wissa departure would be a blow.
Chelsea are open to offers for Jackson after signing Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer, but want a substantial fee for the Senegal international.
TalkSPORT report that the Blues want £80m for the 24-year-old, who has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for the club in all competitions.