Liverpool continue to be linked with a blockbuster transfer for Alexander Isak but Newcastle remain adamant that they will NOT sell their star striker this summer
Alexander Isak’s hopes of joining Liverpool this summer appear to be fading fast with the Premier League champions unwilling to pursue any players they deem to be unattainable.
The Reds have already seen a nine-figure offer for Isak rejected this summer. And with Newcastle adamant they will not sell the 25-year-old striker, Isak looks likely to be a Magpies player when the transfer window shuts on 1 September.
It emerged on Saturday morning that the Sweden international has reacted ‘furiously’ after being informed he will not be sold this summer.
And while the report adds that Isak will not feature for Newcastle until he accepts the board will not sell him in this transfer window, Liverpool’s recruitment policy means a breakthrough is unlikely.
It was outlined prior to the weekend by The i Paper that the champions’ requirements for any transfer target include them being ‘realistically attainable’ and that any deal would represent ‘fair market value’.
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As things stand, neither of those requirements would be met with Isak given Newcastle value their star striker in excess of £150million and do not want to sell.
Liverpool are expected to target a new No 9 after agreeing a deal to sell Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal. They have already signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, though the Frenchman is also capable of playing in a wide attacking role.
Ekitike was a target for Newcastle before the Reds swooped in and they continue to pursue forwards themselves. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is one such target.
Isak did not feature in Newcastle’s latest pre-season fixtures and has now been instructed to train alone after failing to join his team-mates on their recent tour of Asia.
Speaking after the 2-2 draw with Espanyol on Friday night at St James’ Park, Eddie Howe said of the situation: “We’ve had discussions and it’s clear at the moment that we can’t involve him with the group. I don’t know how long that will be for, but that’s the latest.
“I’d want Alex to be playing today, I’d want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us. Let me make that absolutely clear. There’s no part of me that doesn’t want that outcome, but I don’t see the current situation changing for Aston Villa [Newcastle’s season opener].”
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