Newcastle United and Liverpool are at loggerheads over Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
Saudi Pro League clubs are reportedly set to move for Darwin Nunez in news that will frustrate Newcastle United supporters.
A game of transfer poker has unfolded between the Magpies and Liverpool in the last 48 hours. The saga began when news emerged that Newcastle were working on a club-record deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool have liked the Frenchman for a while - as did Newcastle shortly after the Saudi-backed takeover in 2022. However, the fresh approach led the Reds to enquire about Toon talisman Alexander Isak.
Newcastle United and Liverpool standoff
This has led to a Mexican standoff, with Newcastle swiftly making it clear that Isak is not for sale. The Swede publicly insisted he remains happy at St James’ Park earlier this year but has been tight-lipped behind the scenes.
Newcastle’s preference is to tie Isak - whose current deal expires in 2028 - down to a fresh contract on enhanced terms while also signing Ekitike. But with Liverpool also in the hunt for a striker, the fear is they will outmuscle their Ekitike approach.
As it stands, the Reds have not made any concrete offer for either player while Newcastle have seen a £70million Ekitike bid rejected. Frankfurt are understood to be holding out for closer to £85million.
PIF could bankroll Liverpool
Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed Saudi Pro League clubs are interested in Nunez, deemed surplus to requirements by Liverpool. Anfield chiefs are likely to demand an inflated fee and, given the big four Saudi clubs are PIF-owned, any breakthrough would frustrate Newcastle.
Toon fans have already vented their dismay at PIF - who own an 85 per cent stake in the Magpies - bankrolling rival outgoings and the recent Club World Cup. Romano wrote on social media: “Saudi Pro League top clubs make initial approach to sign Darwin Nunez while he’s been waiting for Napoli for one month.
“Napoli close to signing (Lorenzo) Lucca as new striker, it (Napoli) was Darwin’s fav destination. Saudi clubs prepared to tempt him again now after the deal was close last January. Napoli have informed Liverpool tonight that the Darwin Nunez deal can be considered off.
“Napoli will sign Lucca as new striker despite Nunez opening doors to the move, fee considered too high. Nunez, still expected to leave Liverpool this summer with Saudi clubs and more keen.”
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Alexander Isak ‘loves’ Newcastle United
Speaking to Swedish media after winning the Carabao Cup, Isak insisted he remains happy on Tyneside. He said: “There’s not much to say, really. I’ve commented on my situation and my security in Newcastle several times.
“It’s been written how much I love the city and the club, how well I feel there. I’m not thinking about the future. I just want to perform for Newcastle. That is where my focus lies.”
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