Premier League club's top transfer target 'would rather join Man Utd' as 'talks begin'

Manchester United have been the bane of Newcastle United's, to put it bluntly, disastrous summer transfer window thus far, and the Red Devils could be about to strike again. Eddie Howe's preparations for a second Champions League campaign in three years are not going to plan, barring the £55million capture of Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga.

Newcastle have missed out on an array of targets to their Premier League rivals. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were in the Magpies' sights, but both opted for a switch to Old Trafford, despite the lack of European football on offer this season.

They also look set to miss out on top goalkeeper target James Trafford, who is returning to Manchester City from Burnley.

Meanwhile, the Tynesiders have been somewhat bullied by Liverpool.

The Premier League champions reportedly signalled that Newcastle should either welcome negotiations for Alexander Isak or miss out on their latest striker priority, Hugo Ekitike.

After receiving no encouragement about a potential £120m deal for Isak, Liverpool quickly wrapped up the capture of Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express MUFC newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.

And now, Isak has not travelled with Newcastle on their pre-season tour of Asia due to his desire to leave St. James' Park for Liverpool in what would be one of the transfers of the summer.

United could be about to pile on the misery further, considering RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko's reported preference.

Newcastle are pushing to sign Sesko, potentially to act as Isak's replacement, should the Swede move to Anfield.

However, Leipziger Volkszeitung report that the 22-year-old would prefer to leave Germany for United rather than the North East outfit.

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.

Sky Germany add that while talks are ongoing between Newcastle and Sesko's camp, there is not even an agreement in principle over personal terms.

United are expected to move for a new striker after the arrivals of Cunha and Mbeumo, with Sesko believed to be among the options considered.

Leipzig are said to have a gentleman's agreement with the Slovenian, which would allow him to pursue a new challenge for around £60m.

Newcastle have that money to spend, but they can do very little if yet another attacker is attracted to the allure of Ruben Amorim's rebuild in M16 instead.