Newcastle United want to sign Red Bull Salzburg's Benjamin Sesko but face a battle to convince him to join, according to The Northern Echo's Scott Wilson.
The lowdown
The Magpies have thus far faced frustration in their efforts to land a new striker this summer, with long-time target Hugo Ekitike joining Paris Saint-Germain and Armando Broja edging towards West Ham (via Wilson).
Sesko, who scored and provided an assist on Friday as Salzburg kicked off their Bundesliga title defence with a 3-0 victory over Austria Vienna, may be their next port of call.
Recent attacking exports from the club include Erling Haaland, Patson Daka and Karim Adeyemi.
The latest
Wilson took to Twitter to share the 'transfer latest' on Sesko, confirming that 'NUFC are interested in' the Slovenian.
In the corresponding article for The Northern Echo, it's stated that the club's recruitment team have 'honed in on' a player regarded as 'one of the most exciting teenage attacking talents in Europe'. They've made 'a number of enquiries' about Sesko but, as of now, he 'doesn't want to move because he thinks another full season' in Austria 'would benefit his career'.
On top of that, Salzburg are reluctant to do a deal, having already lost Adeyemi to Borussia Dortmund.
The verdict
Newcastle are clearly aware of Sesko's immense potential. He scored 10 goals and provided seven assists in just 1,554 minutes of football last season, which works out as a direct involvement every 1.02 games.
Only three teenagers in Europe - Adam Hlozek of Sparta Prague, Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen and Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund - recorded more goal contributions in 2021/22, while Goal have already ranked him ninth on their list of the 50 best wonderkids in football.
The Slovenian may get even better this season, with talent scout Jacek Kulig telling him that it's 'time to show' the world how good he really is after a hot start to the campaign. Indeed, sports journalist Josh Bunting has called the 19-year-old a 'pleasure to watch' and a 'superb talent'.
Newcastle can be keep plugging away trying to do a deal this summer, but they may have to bide their time.
They need to be wary of some heavyweight competition, with Bayern apparently identifying Sesko as a potential long-term successor to the now-departed Robert Lewandowski.