Benjamin Seshko and Aleksandar Isak's latest transfers: Newcastle interested in RB Leipzig striker if Magpies striker leaves club in summer

Newcastle have explored a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Cesco; Alexander Isak has told Newcastle he wants to explore his options in this transfer window; Liverpool were interested in Isak but then moved on to sign Hugo Ekitike for £79m

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Sky Sports News' Mark McAdam assesses whether Liverpool can still count on signing Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak despite only recently acquiring Hugo Ekitike.

Newcastle United are interested in signing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Seshko if Alexander Isak leaves the club.

Isak has told Newcastle he wants to explore his options this transfer window.

Newcastle have explored a deal for Seshko, who was a target for Arsenal before they decided to move for Victor Diokeres.

According to Sky Sports News, Cesko's side rejected an approach from the Saudi Arabian Pro League club earlier this week. Newcastle had been interested in Cesko since last summer.

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Newcastle have rejected a bid for Brentford striker Joan Wisse but it has emerged he was considered as second choice behind Isak.

There has been no formal transfer request from Isak at this stage and although there has been talk of a new contract with Newcastle in recent months, nothing has been agreed at this stage.

Isak has three years left on his current contract, so Newcastle are in a strong negotiating position and value the player at £150m, although they insist he is not for sale.

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Check out our selection of Alexander Isak's best goals from his Premier League career with Newcastle.

The Swedish striker was sent home by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe ahead of last weekend's 4-0 pre-season defeat to Celtic amid transfer speculation following an approach from Liverpool.

Isak was not part of the group that flew to Singapore on Thursday because Newcastle said he was left at home with a minor thigh injury and the long flight would not help his recovery. However, that speculation was one of the reasons Isak stayed in Newcastle.

Liverpool made an informal offer for Isak last week before signing Hugo Ekitike and are believed to remain big admirers of Isak.

But Chelsea are not in the running to sign Isak, with the Blues having full confidence in the forwards they have in their Premier League and Champions League squads next season.

What did Newcastle boss Howe say about Isak last week?

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Eddie Howe said on Saturday he was 'confident' Isak would stay at Newcastle.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaks after Alexander Isak was sent home from the squad ahead of last Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Celtic:

“It was my decision. He came with us to Glasgow but I decided to send him home because of the rumours around him.

The last thing he wanted was to sit in the stands and watch the game. It would be unfair to him. But I am sure that by the end of the transfer window he will be a Newcastle player.

“We have some irreplaceable players. The best players are so hard to find, so hard to attract and so hard to develop.

“So when you have them, you have to appreciate them. Of course, we really want him to stay on our team.

“I spoke to him, but it's normal. I respect the player's career and its short duration. Alex was very good, he trained well, and I understand that there will be a lot of noise around him.”

Do Newcastle still want Vissa?

Further talks over Wissa's future will take place in Brentford on Thursday amid Newcastle's interest.

The player wants to leave but Brentford are reluctant to sell him after they sold Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United for £71m.

Brentford's valuation of Vissa has risen following the sale of Mbeumo as they risk losing both players.

They scored 39 goals between them in the Premier League last season.

Newcastle, who are increasingly hopeful of landing him for around £35m, are reluctant to overpay for a player they currently view as a second striker behind Isak.

Analysis: What's next for Isak at Newcastle?

Keith Downey from Sky Sports News:

Newcastle wanted to use this window to develop; they wanted to buy four players: a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a right winger and another striker.

“They bought Anthony Elangi, they needed a second striker to compete with Alexander Isak. They were in talks with Frankfurt [about Hugo Ekitiek], Liverpool took the initiative and are still interested in Isak.”

“That's not what Newcastle fans want to hear ahead of a Champions League season where they are fighting on two major fronts. They want to keep their best players – the last thing they want to hear is Isak losing his mind.”

“Eddie Howe is a great manager but he will have to do the best job of personnel management ever to try and get Isak in a positive frame of mind going into the season.”

“Reading between the lines, the fact that he was asked to explore his options went to his head. He was kept here at Newcastle partly because of injury, but also because he was influenced by this interest.”

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In response to Isak's desire to leave, Newcastle signing Anthony Elanga said he was looking forward to joining his Sweden teammate at Newcastle and described him as one of the best strikers in the world.

“Isak is one of the best players in the Premier League, probably the best striker in the Premier League. He thinks he should be paid the same as the best strikers, but he is not at Newcastle. If he went to a new club, Liverpool or another club, he would be paid the same.”

The club will have to make a decision: will they give him a pay rise? Will they allow him to talk to other clubs? Or will they give him time and space for the situation to calm down over the next few weeks?

“But you ask me what will happen now: either someone comes along and puts up the £150m that Newcastle are looking for, or Isak signs a new contract or gets paid more money, or he just gets back into the role of a Newcastle player and starts the season in a positive frame of mind.

But the situation is delicate. It is the last thing Eddie Howe wanted, and the last thing Newcastle fans wanted. Howe sounded weary after Saturday's game against Celtic. There is no sporting director and the club is looking for a new chief executive.

“Eddie Howe and his nephew Andy were at the forefront of the whole transfer scheme this summer and Newcastle suffered losses. They tried to get Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Dean Huysen but couldn't get any of them.

Newcastle are still in active talks over a deal for Yoane Wissa but he was meant to be a back-up striker for Isak rather than the only striker.”