Alexander Isak poses an immediate dilemma for Manchester United, as ‘contact made’

The news that Alexander Isak is planning to leave Newcastle United shocked the Premier League, but it may also affect Manchester United’s transfer intentions.

The likely departure of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United may jeopardize Manchester United’s pursuit of RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Sesko.

Despite signing Matheus Cunha in June and lately acquiring Bryan Mbeumo, United are still hunting for forward options. After Viktor Gyokeres turned down a reunion with Ruben Amorim to join Arsenal, the Red Devils are now focused on Sesko.

With the Gunners on the verge of acquiring Gyokeres, United appeared to have a free run at the 6’5″ Slovenian. If Newcastle sells Isak, who has been connected with Liverpool and Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal and requested a transfer on Thursday, the Magpies are set to pursue a deal for Sesko.

Liverpool completes purchase of striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.

United may face significant challenges after losing out on signing Liam Delap to Chelsea earlier this summer. According to the Athletic, Newcastle is interested in signing the Slovenian striker, who has 27 goals and seven assists in 64 Bundesliga outings for Leipzig.

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle has approached Leipzig about signing Sesko, who may cost between £60 and £70 million. Brentford rejected a £25 million proposal for Yoane Wissa.

Newcastle may want to sell Isak for a Premier League record amount. If this occurs, they will undoubtedly hasten their search for another prolific goal scorer, and Sesko appears to fit that bill.

United may struggle to persuade Sesko to join them at Old Trafford, given the Magpies’ current Champions League status. Furthermore, having already spent approximately £132.5 million on Mbeumo and Cunha, United will most likely have to wait to sell before making a serious bid, whilst Newcastle may have plenty of cash to throw around if Isak’s exit occurs swiftly.

Benjamin Sesko is now being eyed by Newcastle as well as United(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

After scoring only 44 goals in the Premier League previous season, United are still looking for a clinical frontman. Cunha and Mbeumo are both clinical finishers, totaling 35 goals and 14 assists for their respective clubs last year.

Unfortunately for Amorim, neither are the type of center forwards that United has been looking for this summer. The Red Devils have missed out on Delap, Gyokeres, and Hugo Ekitike, who joined Liverpool for £79 million this week.

United reportedly met with the representatives of Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who is currently valued at £80 million. However, the Reds are not likely to bid for the Senegal international.

Ruben Amorim has been desperate to add goals to his United team(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)

According to French site Foot Mercato, United might also consider Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani, who was on loan at Juventus last season.

Sesko, a 22-year-old with a price tag of roughly £60 million (£12 million less than what United spent Atalanta for Rasmus Hojlund in the summer of 2023), may be the right candidate for United.

United still has Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee on its roster, but neither has proven they can lead the frontline. Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona has freed up space and about £12 million on the salary bill, but United will still need to raise finances before they can spend again.

Amorim’s primary objectives right now will be addressing the futures of Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jadon Sancho, all of whom the club is open to offers for.