Latest Liverpool news and transfer rumours with the latest on Alexander Isak and Newcastle United’s hunt for a replacement
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.(Image: Michael Driver | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A new week begins, with important updates about Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle United expected. The striker is reportedly set to reunite with teammates for training back in England amid transfer interest from Liverpool.
The Magpies must now try to reintegrate a striker who has been away from the squad for two weeks and was the subject of a £110m offer from Liverpool just days ago. The response was an unequivocal no, leaving Anfield chiefs to reconvene and decide what to do next.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has told the press whilst it is his hope to work again with Isak, no player of his can ‘act poorly’ and rejoin the group as if nothing has happened.
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So, there are 29 days left in the summer window for Isak to either remain on Tyneside or become Liverpool’s next high-profile signing. The ECHO looks at the latest reports on the matter.
Benjamin Sesko key to Isak move
Giving his insight on the saga to talkSPORT, journalist Ben Jacobs suggests the key to Liverpool successfully signing Isak is going to be their rivals’ ability to land a replacement in good time.
The reporter said: “I think the Alexander Isak situation is the one to be patient on because Liverpool, even though it sounds a little bit paradoxical to some, are simultaneously not inclined to make a bid now but are also not walking away.
“What does that mean? Basically they don’t want to bid blind, they don’t want to waste their time. They don’t want to keep going to Newcastle United before Newcastle are in a position where they will do business.
“So, it requires Newcastle to effectively indicate to Liverpool that now is the time you can actually do a deal.
“If Liverpool return to the table they want to do this quickly and not find that there is a string of consistent rejections.
“How that happens, you can argue two attackers coming into Newcastle United. Maybe there’s a scenario where with Isak back in Newcastle he can force the move in a further capacity. Not being part of a pre-season tour vs potentially saying he’s not gonna train, not gonna be part of the Premier League squad, all of these things could in theory come in the future.
“But the opposite has happened. Isak has flown in, the expectation is that he will be part of Newcastle United training sessions after they get back from South Korea.
“A few moving parts but my sense is that Benjamin Sesko was to pick Newcastle over Manchester United, that would be a sign of encouragement and maybe the first step towards Isak and Liverpool potentially becoming a realistic possibility.”
Newcastle set deadline
The Daily Mail report that Newcastle are taking the initiative with their battle against Manchester United having already seen an offer rejected by RB Leipzig, but what they really want is to understand the Sesko’s stance on the matter.
Again they could put the work into a deal only for the rug to be pulled from under their feet by the player deciding he would prefer Old Trafford to St. James’ Park.
So the Magpies are therefore said to have been in contact with the Slovenian international’s camp on Sunday and have placed a 24-hour deadline until Monday, August 4, by which time they want clarity of his thoughts towards the transfer.
A successful move could push Isak closer to Liverpool.