The Athletic reports that “many conversations” with sources close to Newcastle United and Alexander Isak “point to the Sweden international eventually leaving Tyneside and joining Liverpool, but it is not a done deal.”
That’s where we’re at. Liverpool are prepared to pay £130m to sign the former Real Sociedad striker and as the likes of Fabrizio Romano, Paul Joyce and David Ornstein report, it all comes down to Newcastle and whether they cave in under (considerable) pressure.
Spokespersons at Newcastle and the club’s manager Eddie Howe have consistently maintained that Isak is not for sale. But as the Athletic reports, that’s their stance: “Which is not the same as saying Isak will not end up being sold.”
Howe’s latest comment on the matter was to tell journalists on Tuesday in South Korea: “We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club. My wish is that he stays.”
However, Isak has now been entirely away from the Newcastle setup for two days, is not training at the club’s grounds and is a week and a half on from his decision to not travel on the club’s annual pre-season tour.
Why is Alexander Isak not with Newcastle and what happens from here on out?
According to the Athletic, “there are varying explanations as to why Isak is not with his team-mates in Asia.”
Perhaps more damning is the line that says regardless of what happens in Liverpool’s attempts to negotiate with Newcastle, Isak will “not be joining them there at any stage” which sounds as though the striker wants to leave at all costs.
Newcastle say he has a “minor thigh problem” while the Athletic says sources close to Isak say it was a personal decision not to go on the tour.
Critically, Liverpool’s approach to Newcastle in early July seem to have turned the player’s head even if the Reds say “they are not behind Isak’s request to stay behind in the UK.” The Premier League champions told the Magpies they would be keen to sign Isak for £120m but their approach was not entertained.
However, reports that Liverpool have been acting to destabalise Newcastle and Isak and thereby take advantage of the chaos to sign the forward are not true.
The Athletic states: “It is true that some people with strong connections to Newcastle believe this to be pivotal in turning Isak’s head.
“It is also true that people familiar with Isak’s thinking say that none of this should be a surprise to Newcastle and that they were told repeatedly that last season would be the player’s final one at St James’ Park, that he wished to move to a club where he could win the biggest trophies.
“It is true that some are saying there is no turning back.”
Signing Isak would be historic and truly indicative of a new Liverpool era of dominance
Signing Florian Wirtz had already elevated Liverpool’s starting lineup significantly before the club agreed a multi-million pound deal to sign Hugo Ektiike.
Those two signings mean that Mohamed Salah leaving the club at the end of his two-year contract situation could be potentially dealt with – two young superstars in to replace an all-time great seems like good business on paper.
Add Isak into the mix, however, and Liverpool are looking at ushering in a new era of dominance. One beyond the Salah and van Dijk era.
Isak, Ekitike and Wirtz are three top class players and signing all three of them will enable Arne Slot to accomplish things that fans would have been locked up for suggesting a year ago.
Exciting times at Anfield.
