Alexander Isak: Newcastle reject formal Liverpool bid for striker

Isak desires to leave Newcastle this summer and has been training at his former club, Real Sociedad, whereas Eddie Howe’s squad is in South Korea as a part of their pre-season tour of Asia.

Liverpool had beforehand made an off-the-cuff method to their Premier League rivals and expressed an curiosity in doing a deal within the area of £120million, and the Anfield membership have now seen an official bid rebuffed.

Newcastle have tried to tie Isak to an improved contract, which might have included a release clause the following summer, and inspired him to remain in the north east via senior team-mates. However, the 25-year-old has not modified his stance, which has been made clear to the club by Isak and his representatives for a while.

The Sweden international spent three years at Real Sociedad before becoming a player of Newcastle for £60million (€69.4m; $79.3m) in 2022 and has been coaching alone at the La Liga club’s Zubieta facilities.

Sources, talking anonymously as they weren’t authorised to take action publicly, stated Isak’s absence from Newcastle’s pre-season tour was the participant’s choice amid his unsure future. The membership has cited a minor thigh injury for the forward.

Isak’s Newcastle contract has three years remaining; however, they’ve now begun looking for potential replacements in case of his departure, though their stance has remained that he’s not on the market.

The Athletic reported on July 15 that Liverpool had shown interest in doing a deal in the area of £120m for the striker.

The Premier League champions later accomplished the signing of Hugo Ekitike, a player Newcastle also held interest in, from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal valued at an initial £69m.

The St James’ Park club made RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko their prime candidate; however, Manchester United at the moment are prioritising a transfer for the 22-year-old. Newcastle have additionally held interest in Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.

Isak has established himself among the most prolific strikers in Europe in recent times. He scored 27 goals in all competitions last season, together with one within the Carabao Cup as Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 and ended their 70-year wait for a trophy.