Liverpool are prepared to smash their transfer record once again to sign Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, but have seen a bid rejected – with the Magpies seeking a eye-watering £150m for their star striker
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted he isn’t sure if wantaway striker Alexander Isak will return to training amid the Swedish international’s uncertain future at St James’ Park.
Isak is being pursued by Liverpool, who have already seen a £110million bid rejected by the Magpies. The player is unsettled at Newcastle after telling the club he wants to consider his options this summer – but the Magpies want around £150m for his signature.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a fantastic campaign at Newcastle as he fired in 27 goals to help them secure Champions League football and also inspired them to winning the Carabao Cup.
But Newcastle face a huge battle to keep Isak at the club beyond the end of the transfer window after he refused to join the club on their pre-season tour of Asia.
Isak has been training on his own at the training facilities of his old club Real Sociedad in the last week to keep himself ticking over for the new season, despite a lack of progress in talk between the two clubs.
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And Howe – who had previously been upbeat about the prospect of Isak staying with Newcastle – conceded he couldn’t be certain he would link up with the group in the near future after their friendly against Tottenham.
“Of course I’d like him to be, but whether he will I don’t know at this moment in time,” Howe said when asked if he could expect Isak to return to training. “Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home.”
Howe distanced himself from the ongoing transfer speculation as he said he was only informed that Liverpool’s approach had been rebuffed – as he insisted he would continue to support Isak despite his desire to leave.
“I was made aware of a bid yesterday and that bid was turned down, all before I’d even heard about it,” Howe said. “People back in England are dealing with the situation.
“I don’t know what happens next. From our perspective, we still support Alex in every way and my wish is that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again.”
Newcastle have been ramping up plans for Isak’s successor in the event that he does leave after launching a £70m bid for Red Bull Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.
The Magpies already missed out on signing Hugo Ekitike after having a £72m bid rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt, with the player instead joining Liverpool.
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