Newcastle transfer odds: Isak to Liverpool possible as Toon eye Ollie Watkins

With Sesko seemingly set for Old Trafford, who's next for Newcastle?

Despite securing Champions League qualification last season and having the richest owners in the Premier League, Newcastle United have struggled to get transfers over the line this summer. 

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They have signed Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for £55million, but they lost out on Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and James Trafford. And according to the most recent reports, they are also set to lose Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United, despite the Old Trafford outfit enduring their worst Premier League campaign ever last year and not being able to offer Champions League competition. 

Sesko had become a priority for the Magpies after increased speculation linking star striker Alexander Isak with a move to Liverpool. Ladbrokes.com has given odds of 1/4 on the Swedish striker making the move to Anfield. 

Odds on Isak’s next club, from Ladbrokes.com, correct at the time of writing:

Some days ago, Manchester United officials reportedly said they would not bother lodging an official bid for Sesko unless they believed the player preferred a move to Old Trafford. Within a couple of days, they had lodged that bid. 

And now it seems increasingly likely that Eddie Howe will have to explore alternative signings while also looking to strengthen in other positions.

Bookies believe Newcastle are most likely to turn their attention towards the Midlands - principally for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. The Villains have just signed Ivory Coast striker Evann Guessand, potentially opening the door for a £60m Watkins departure. 

United themselves had expressed interest in Watkins, and it seems increasingly likely that the England striker will move to whichever club fails to land Sesko. The striker is priced at 2/1 to join Newcastle and 7/2 to join Man Utd. 

Odds on Watkins’ next club, from Ladbrokes.com, correct at the time of writing:

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Another option is Chelsea’s Nicholas Jackson. Despite leading the line for Chelsea over the past two seasons, Jackson’s position has come under increased competition. Joao Pedro and Liam Delap are both likely to start ahead of the Senegal star. 

If he did make the move to Newcastle, he would miss the season opener against Aston Villa as he serves the final match of a three-match ban – handed out for the red card he picked up against Newcastle. Bookmakers have given odds of 1/3 on Jackson’s move to Newcastle.

While Howe’s primary focus is on finding a striker to replace the irreplaceable Alexander Isak, the club’s qualification for the Champions League means they will need to shore up numbers in other areas, too. 

Newcastle are reportedly investigating a potential move for Aston Villa captain John McGinn. Villa are unlikely to want to part ways with the 30-year-old midfielder, but Howe needs to replace Longstaff, who Newcastle sold to Leeds for £12m earlier in the summer.