Liverpool are prepared to put in a bid for Alexander Isak this week as they attempt to see whether they can get the Swedish striker out of Newcastle amid his uncertain situation
Liverpool are ready to test Newcastle's resolve over Alexander Isak by making a bid for the Magpies' star striker this week amid the ongoing uncertainty over his future.
Isak has made it clear to his current club that he would like to explore options away from St James' Park following the best season of his career. The 25-year-old remains on Tyneside after ruling himself out of the club's pre-season tour with a thigh injury, although transfer speculation is also thought to be a factor behind his absence.
Liverpool have spent more than £200million on the likes of Florian Wirtz this summer but still have the room to invest another mammoth fee if they do want Isak - and Newcastle are having to consider the departure of their wantaway star.
Eddie Howe has made it clear that the Magpies are not looking to offload their best players, but equally acknowledge the decision would rest with the board. And if offers for Isak reach the £150m mark then Newcastle may be tempted to cash in.
Howe confirmed to the Daily Mail that Isak will not be joining the team in South Korea during the next seven days and Liverpool are due to be further boosted by an extra £65m that will come as a result of Luis Diaz joining Bayern Munich - a move that is close to being finalised.
Newcastle may well have to choose between negotiating and ensuring they maximise their profits from the player, or refusing all offers and informing Isak he is staying despite his desire to go elsewhere. It is understood that within the camp opinion is split as to which approach is best for the club.
Liverpool already have Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo among their attacking options. Darwin Nunez is expected to follow Diaz out of Anfield. Newcastle meanwhile would be losing their best player ahead of another crack at the Champions League, but Howe has remained coy when questioned.
He said recently: "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."