Three Newcastle United targets pick Man Utd as attacking trio opt for Old Trafford moves

Manchester United’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko is the third time this summer the Red Devils have signed a player targeted by Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

The Red Devils remain in talks with RB Leipzig after the Slovenian striker made it clear he wanted to make the move to Old Trafford, with personal terms agreed on Wednesday. United’s pursuit of Sesko also damages Liverpool’s hopes of signing Alexander Isak this summer.

Giving an update late on Wednesday night, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg said no agreement had been reached between Leipzig and United as of yet but the clubs had planned further talks for Thursday.

Despite finishing 15th and with no form of European football to look forward to, the Red Devils have still had an impressive window - especially under the circumstances.

Newcastle United miss out on three players to Manchester United

Newcastle won the Carabao Cup last campaign and have qualified for the Champions League - but it has not been enough in their pursuit of three transfer targets.

Sky Sports News reporter Keith Downie has said that Matheus Cunha was a player being eyed by Newcastle before his £62.5m move to Old Trafford while they “got far” with Bryan Mbeumo and Sesko before the duo opted for the Red Devils. Mbeumo has officially completed his move while a deal could be done this week for Sesko after he made his decision to join United.

He said: “If Manchester United get Benjamin Sesko over the line, their front three next season, Bryan Mbuemo, Sesko and Matheus Cunha are three players that Newcastle liked and certainly tried and got far on with two of them in the shape of Sesko and Mbeumo.”

He added: “I think this one will be the hardest one of all, seeing Benjamin Sesko join Manchester United.”

Manchester United transfer pull remains

Mbeumo was also eyed by Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur this summer but he made it clear he only wanted to join United. That made it easier to negotiate a deal with Brentford as the Red Devils had two bids rejected and as they worked on the third and final offer, they were able to do so without any threat of the move being hijacked.

"It's Manchester United," said manager Ruben Amorim earlier in the season. "Every player wants to play for Manchester United. If you look at our club in the moment, with all the problems, including changing coach, it looks a little bit of a problem. But we have a clear idea and that's the easiest part to explain for a player."

Despite a miserable campaign and with no European football on the table, Amorim’s claim has been proven right this summer. However, the Red Devils must improve this campaign to keep that transfer pull in tact.

Adding the likes of Cunha and Mbeumo should add guaranteed goals given their Premier League experience. Sesko is tipped to be a top player but is still young and there will be pressure on his shoulders to perform at Old Trafford.