A sale could directly affect Chelsea's hopes of negotiating a favourable deal for Simons. If Leipzig secure a substantial fee for Sesko, they may feel less pressure to compromise on any subsequent departures.

Manchester United appear to be making significant progress in their transfer pursuit of Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenia international was heavily linked with Arsenal earlier in the transfer window but now looks destined to end up at Old Trafford having become the latest centre forward to snub Newcastle United.

Ollie Watkins also has admirers at Old Trafford but Aston Villa told United early in the window that the 29-year-old is not for sale.