Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has already told Alexander Isak he hopes his future lies on Tyneside amid interest from Liverpool.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the Reds had approached to sign Newcastle's star striker, who scored 23 goals in the Premier League last term. Isak currently has two years left on his current deal, and Liverpool.com understands the Magpies have no intention of selling their talismanic forward.
The Swede helped Newcastle win their first silverware in 70 years last season when Eddie Howe's side beat the Reds at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup. He also scored an outrageous strike against Liverpool at St James' Park in December, rifling in an effort from distance in a game that finished 3-3.
No formal offer has been made by Liverpool as of yet, but an interest has been expressed in securing a deal worth $161 million (£120M), a fee Newcastle would likely reject.
The development came on a busy day of transfer activity, with the Reds also rejecting an offer from Bayern Munich for Luis Diaz.
While Isak is adored on Tyneside, turning down Liverpool should they come calling would be a difficult proposition for the 25-year-old.
With Callum Wilson having departed on a free transfer earlier this summer, the expectation had been that Isak would don the number nine for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign, with Newcastle having returned to the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
One man who knows all about wearing the number nine is Shearer, Newcastle's record goalscorer. Speaking in January whilst working for BBC Sport, Shearer interviewed Isak about his future.
"We've seen recent big-name centre-forwards sign long contracts," said Shearer to Isak, referencing Erling Haaland's Manchester City nine-and-a-half-year deal he inked back in January.
"You know what's coming next," laughed Shearer, to which Isak replied: "We'll see."
"The speculation, does it bother you, do you enjoy it, obviously you're doing something right if people are talking about you at other football clubs. I and the Newcastle fans won't like it but it's a reality of football isn't it, the more goals you score, the better you're doing, people are going to talk about other things.
Liverpool is stepping up its pursuit of Alexander Isak this summer
Liverpool is stepping up its pursuit of Isak this summer (Image: Getty Images)
"It's something you get used to," replied Isak. "Sometimes you see things that make you laugh or things that are not right but it's just a part of football. It shouldn't really bother you too much."
With Newcastle digging their heels in on Isak, it now looks as though Liverpool may be about to steal Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike out from under their noses, a player the Magpies have long held an interest in since they tried to sign him back in January 2022.
The Reds have made an approach to sign Ekitike, who impressed last season for Frankfurt and was also subject to a now rejected bid of around $87 million from Newcastle earlier this week.