By Eddie Howe’s own admission, Newcastle have endured a difficult summer transfer window thus far.

The Magpies have missed out on numerous first-choice targets after Bryan Mbeumo opted for Manchester United, Manchester City swooped in for James Trafford, and Hugo Ekitike chose Liverpool.

Most worryingly, Newcastle could lose Alexander Isak as the striker agitates for a move away from St James’ Park.

Speaking ahead of his side’s game against Tottenham in South Korea on Sunday, it led Eddie Howe to describe his side’s transfer window as “challenging” because Newcastle “have missed out on load of different targets for different reasons.”

However, positive news emerged on Saturday after Newcastle bid for Benjamin Sesko, although not all Geordies saw it that way.

Newcastle fans split on whether Benjamin Sesko bid is good for the club amid Alexander Isak uncertainty

Following their side’s initial offer of £65.5million plus £4.3 million in add ons for the Slovenian, Newcastle fans took to social media to debate what the potential transfer meant for the future of Isak and the rest of the club’s transfer window.

Naturally, many Magpies fans view Sesko as a potential Isak replacement, meaning they are concerned that news of the bid means the Swede will depart.

One fan wrote on X: ‘Isak will almost definitely go if we get Sesko.’

Another added: ‘Sesko is unfortunately a replacement for Isak. But the thought of the two together is unreal.’

However, not all fans saw this as a negative, pointing to the reinforcements Newcastle would be able to sign in other positions with the money generated from an Isak sale.

One wrote: ‘If Sesko signs, then Isak goes, in my opinion. With that money, we can comfortably sign the players/positions we need so desperately. Could just be a good window after all.’

For this reason, other fans saw positives regardless of whether the Sesko deal was completed or not.

One fan said: ‘I’m increasingly relaxed about the Sesko vs Isak debacle! Sign Sesko and Isak goes for a huge sum of money. Fail to sign Sesko and we retain Isak (for now).’

Finally, other Newcastle fans retained optimism that they would keep Isak even if the club bought Sesko.

One wrote: ‘I would still like to think Isak could stay and play alongside Sesko. What a front two that would be. Wasn’t he waiting to see who we sign and for the club to show ambition?’

It remains to be seen if such a scenario of Sesko and Isak together at St James’ Park comes true, especially as Newcastle remain interested in Yoane Wissa.

Benjamin Sesko left out of RB Leipzig squad after telling teammates ‘that he will be leaving’

RB Leipzig continued their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Serie A side Atalanta on Saturday.

In the build-up to that game, however, it was revealed that Sesko had been left out of the Leipzig squad.

This wasn’t due to injury. Rather, the Slovenian international’s absence was due to the transfer speculation surrounding him, with Florian Plettenberg adding that Sesko’s departure is ‘imminent’, and that the 22-year-old ‘has reportedly already told his teammates that he will be leaving.’

That news should come as a major boost to Newcastle and Manchester United as both sides pursue the striker.

Who Sesko ultimately decides to join still remains unclear, however, with the forward still deciding on his future.