Newcastle pushing hard to agree Benjamin Sesko deal with RB Leipzig after being told the striker is willing to join them – with Man United still in the race but yet to make formal offer

Newcastle are tonight pushing ahead to agree a deal with RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko after being given encouragement the striker wants to join.

It is not known what the Slovenian’s camp have communicated to Manchester United, who are also in the race to sign the 22-year-old, and sources have stressed that all outcomes are still possible.

But Newcastle want to move quickly to agree terms with Leipzig, after the Bundesliga club sought to negotiate the structure of an offer totalling £70million over the weekend.

Sesko is Newcastle’s top attacking target and there is a determination to accelerate a deal, especially after they were told on Monday he is willing to sign for the club.

Man United’s interest remains – and it was thought last week that Old Trafford was his preferred destination – but unlike Newcastle, they did not table a formal offer over the weekend.

Newcastle are pushing ahead to finalise a deal with RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko

Eddie Howe’s side want an outcome one way or another within the next 24 hours

Liverpool will only return with an offer for Alexander Isak when Newcastle have a replacement

The Magpies would like an outcome one way or the other over the next 24 hours, given their need to bring in a striker ahead of the season opener at Aston Villa a week on Saturday.

Alexander Isak remains intent on a move to Liverpool, but the Premier League champions will only return with a new offer once Newcastle have the Swede’s replacement lined up.