'I was eyed by Man Utd and Liverpool – now I could help out Alexander Isak'

Alexander Isak's future with Newcastle United remains up in the air as the striker missed the Magpies' trip to Villa Park on Saturday, and the arrival of one Ligue 1 star on Tyneside could help move him on

Goncalo Ramos has been linked with a move to Newcastle United, where his arrival could help put an end to Alexander Isak's dramatic transfer saga. The Swede has reportedly claimed he will never play for the Magpies again, regardless of whether he secures a move away from Tyneside before deadline day.

Liverpool remain the only likely destination for the 25-year-old at present, but are yet to re-enter talks with Newcastle after seeing their initial bid of £110million plus add-ons rebuffed. And with less than two weeks to go before the summer window shuts, all parties involved will hope for a swift resolution for the striker one way or the other.

As a result of Isak's absence, Anthony Gordon was deployed as a makeshift striker during Newcastle's goalless draw with a 10-man Aston Villa away from home in their Premier League opener on Saturday. And without a proven No. 9 in their ranks for their clash with Liverpool a week on Monday, Eddie Howe will be eager to recruit himself a new frontman before then.

The Magpies have been quoted £40m for Brentford's Yoane Wissa, who scored 19 goals in 35 outings for the Bees last term. And with the 28-year-old seemingly favouring a move to St James' Park, it could only be a matter of time before a deal between the two clubs is brokered.

However, it's former Manchester United and Liverpool target, Ramos, who Newcastle have recently been linked with which could prove incredibly fruitful in finding a new home for Isak in the coming weeks. The 24-year-old has impressed with Paris Saint-Germain since joining the Ligue 1 giants in 2023, with 34 goals to his name across all competitions thus far.

The Red Devils were reportedly in talks with PSG to bring the centre-forward to Old Trafford this summer before swooping for the trio of Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo, while it is said that Liverpool are currently assessing the suitability of Ramos at Anfield in the event that they are unable to secure Isak.

It wouldn't be the first time that the Reds have taken one of Newcastle's targets this summer, hijacking the Magpies chase of Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike and welcoming him in a £79m move. However, holding off on Ramos to allow Newcastle to sign him could prove incredibly beneficial for Liverpool in their pursuit for Isak.

With two strikers in Wissa and Ramos in their ranks, it may spur Newcastle to provide a little wiggle room on their firm £150m valuation of Isak at present, which could see the Reds meet them in the middle to take him off their hands.

It's a big ask for the Magpies, however, who have struggled to recruit top-tier talent in the current window. Not only did Newcastle miss out on Ekitike, Mbeumo and Sesko, but they also saw Liam Delap and Joao Pedro favour moves to Chelsea, Dean Huijsen join Real Madrid, and James Trafford return to Manchester City from Burnley.

It's thought that Ramos is settled in the French capital and that he's not overly keen on a move to the Premier League, despite interest. Meanwhile, with expected wages reported to be in the region of £200,000 per-week, and with a valuation of around £68m at present, it may turn out to be yet another fruitless endeavour for Newcastle.