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(Credit: Getty Images / Manh Tung - Breaking Media)

Ben Palmer

Fri 8 August 2025 7:00, UK

Newcastle’s offering of Champions League football is not convincing enough for players to move to St.

James’ Park this summer.

Man United have reached an agreement in principle to sign Benjamin Sesko this summer.

The Slovenian striker can be added to a list that includes Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike, Dean Huijsen, James Trafford, and Joao Pedro as players who opted not to join Newcastle this summer, instead moving elsewhere.

Joao Pedro opted to move to Chelsea rather than Newcastle.

(Credit: Imago)

For some, like Huijsen, Delap, and Pedro, it made sense not to move to the North East, as Real Madrid and Chelsea could offer more money, more prestige, a better chance of claiming major silverware, or more playing time.

But others, like Mbuemo, Trafford, and Sesko, rejected Newcastle despite the Magpies being able to offer at least one of the above-listed selling points.

This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.

Newcastle have managed to sign Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale this summer, with the latter joining on loan.

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But the story of this window has been lots of swings and too many misses from Eddie Howe‘s side.

Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Le Tissier revealed he was shocked that Sesko was choosing to join United over Newcastle: “You’d think that with the lure of Champions League football next season that it would be much easier to attract these kinds of players.

(Credit: Imago)

“Now it’s be a real kick in the teeth for them if Sesko decides that he would prefer to go and play at Man United with zero European football, as opposed to going to play at Newcastle with Champions League football.

“He’ll be pushing in these last few weeks to strengthen that squad with some top-quality players who don’t prefer playing at clubs that are not even in European football.”

The Magpies may have struck out in their approach for Sesko, but with just under two weeks before the Premier League season begins, time is fast running out to find a new number nine.

Mick Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle will turn to Rodrigo Muniz in a bid to strengthen their frontline.

Rodrigo Muniz was Fulham’s second-choice striker last season.

(Credit: Imago)

Not only is the Brazilian striker wanted by Leeds, but also by Serie A side Atalanta, who sold Mateo Retegui to Qatari side Al-Qadsiah this summer.

Fulham are unwilling to part with Muniz and his asking price will be high, given the interest that is being shown in him, but Newcastle are not only running out of time, but also options, and may be forced to bite the bullet and send their Premier League rivals a princely sum for the former Flamengo man.

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