According to Sky Sports, Newcastle have submitted an improved bid worth £69.7m (€80m), plus add-ons, for Sesko. The report claims that the Magpies had an opening offer worth £65.3m (€75m), plus £4.4m (€5m) in bonuses, turned down earlier this summer.

It emerged on Monday that Newcastle, having already seen one offer turned down, returned to Leipzig with a second bid worth an initial €80 million (£69.7 million, $92.6 million), plus a further €10 million (£8.7 million, $11.6 million) in add-ons, as they seek to beat the Red Devils to his signature.

Newcastle are in a strong position as things stand after a day of positive talks held by their co-owner Jamie Reuben with Leipzig and Sesko.