Manchester United and Newcastle’s battle to sign Benjamin Sesko has taken a twist after a third club pulled out of the transfer race for the striker.

Sesko has emerged as a top target for both Premier League teams, with RB Leipzig rejecting a £70million offer from the Magpies over the weekend.

It is said Leipzig were happy with the overall sum of Newcastle’s bid but not the payment structure, while United are reportedly ‘ready to match’ their rival’s offer.

But they are not the only clubs involved in the saga, with the Slovenian striker on the shortlist of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal after they failed to sign Victor Osimhen.

As per The Athletic, Al-Hilal have also looked at Newcastle’s Alexander Isak – who wants to leave St. James’ Park for Liverpool – but now they believe the Swede and Sesko are unattainable.

As a result, they have now entered talks with Liverpool over a deal for Darwin Nunez, who has been tipped to leave Anfield all summer.

It is said the Uruguayan is now their top target and have informed the Reds of their interest, though a formal bid is yet to be made.

Liverpool signed Nunez in 2022 in a deal worth up to £85m but the centre-forward hasn’t been the elite goalscorer they hoped for, returning 40 goals in 143 games.

Arne Slot gave the 26-year-old just eight starts in the Premier League last season, with the summer additions of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike casting further doubt on his Merseyside future.

If Nunez does indeed move to Saudi Arabia, it could spark a chain reaction in the transfer market, with Liverpool more likely to make another bid for Isak after their opening £110m offer was immediately rejected.

Eddie Howe’s side are determined to keep their talisman, who scored 27 goals across all competitions last season and is considered one of the best strikers in the world.

They value him at £150m but if they were to sell it may boost their chances of buying Sesko who recorded 21 goals last season and was previously pursued by Arsenal.

It is said the 22-year-old is open to joining either Newcastle or Manchester United, with the former also eyeing up PSG’s Goncalo Ramos as an alternative.

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