Stuart Pearce has warned Manchester United and Newcastle United that location and Champions League football will play a major role in the battle to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. The former England manager believes players and their families prefer to live in major cities like Manchester or London, giving clubs in those areas a natural advantage in transfer negotiations.
Manchester United, despite missing out on several targets, have secured Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this summer. Ruben Amorim is now chasing a new striker, with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko high on the list. Newcastle, meanwhile, are pursuing Sesko after Alexander Isak informed the club of his desire to leave.
Pearce, speaking to the Manchester Evening News, said: 'I found out through my experience as a manager in the Premier League that players want to play in the Champions League. That's the first thing they ask. A lot of players want to be near the big cities. You're fighting, geographically, if you are up in Newcastle.'
Newcastle can offer Champions League football next season, but have struggled to attract top targets this summer. Joao Pedro, Mbeumo, Liam Delap, Cunha and James Trafford all rejected moves to St James' Park, opting instead for clubs in Manchester, London or Chelsea. The Magpies also face the potential departure of Isak, who is wanted by Liverpool and Al-Hilal for a reported £150m.
Isak was absent from Newcastle's pre-season tour, and manager Eddie Howe admitted he cannot fully control the striker's future. 'He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us,' Howe said.
