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Newcastle United’s difficult summer in the transfer market has gone from bad to worse, with another key target slipping through their grasp.

Benjamin Sesko, widely regarded as the Magpies’ main striker target, has opted to join Manchester United, delivering a fresh blow to Eddie Howe’s recruitment plans.

Seko’s snub adds to a growing list of failed pursuits, with Newcastle having already missed out on James Trafford, Bryan Mbeumo, João Pedro, Liam Delap, Ekitike, and several defensive targets.

As a result, the squad looks weaker than it did at the end of last season.

While Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale have been added to the ranks, the departures of Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson –  combined with Alexander Isak signalling his desire to leave — have left Newcastle short on numbers.

Despite the mounting setbacks, Howe remains determined to secure two or three top-class signings before the transfer window closes, as he looks to strengthen a squad that is currently underpowered for the challenges ahead.

He said: “We are looking at the best players we can get.

We have missed out on loads of different targets for different reasons.

“But we are still very competitive and we are still in there trying to bring good players to the club, that won’t change until the window shuts.”

Newcastle United have now turned their attention to Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani as well as Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.

According to BBC Sport, Jackson has agreed to leave the Blues.

The 24-year-old trained alone on Friday amid Newcastle interest after their move for Benjamin Sesko failed.

He missed the friendly against Bayer Leverkusen, with his exit suiting both parties after Chelsea signed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer.

Read more: Oliver Glasner speaks on Marc Guehi transfer situation

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