Newcastle United are braced for a British record bid from Liverpool for Alexander Isak.
Isak has informed Newcastle that he wishes to leave this summer following an informal approach from the Premier League champions just under a fortnight ago.
Eddie Howe’s squad are currently in the Far East but Isak, according to the club, has stayed at home due to a “minor thigh injury”. But because of the speculation, people are drawing their own conclusions.
Following four days in Singapore, which ended with a narrow 3-2 defeat to Arsenal, the Magpies have now jetted off to Seoul in South Korea but Howe says there is “no chance” of Isak joining up with the team ahead of matches against the K-League All-Stars and Tottenham Hotspur.
Just like Singapore, Newcastle’s trip to Seoul will be dominated by talk of Isak’s future with Liverpool widely expected to accelerate a move having on Sunday agreed to sell Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for a reported £65million.
Sky Sport Switzerland claims the Reds will officially begin talks with Newcastle “in the coming hours to inform them that a written offer will be submitted”. The Magpies value Isak at £150m but Arne Slot’s side believe a bid of £120m plus performance-related add-ons could secure a deal.
Addressing the situation at the weekend, Howe said: “I wouldn’t put a timescale on it. I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that.
“But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it’s up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can. That’s what we’re trying to do, regardless of Alex’s situation.
“But I think there’s a wider picture here. There’s a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board.”
Alexander Isak wants Liverpool move – but NUFC hold the cards
It’s no secret that Isak is keen on joining Liverpool and according to Sky Sport Switzerland has already given the “green light” to personal terms. “A five-year contract has been duly finalised, and perfectly matches his salary expectations,” the report reads.
True or not, ultimately it’s Newcastle that hold the cards. Isak, who still has three years left on his contract, is their player and should only be sold on their terms.
Liverpool meeting the Magpies’ valuation is one thing, but sourcing a replacement is even bigger. Having already lost Callum Wilson, United are eyeing not just one but two forwards in the remaining five weeks of the window.
Howe’s side are trying to line up a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko while attempting to prise Yoane Wissa out of Brentford. Wissa desperately wants to join Newcastle but the Bees are playing hardball by demanding in excess of £40m.
