Liverpool have made an informal approach to Newcastle to sound out a £120million deal
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool have made an informal approach to Newcastle United over a potential £120 million deal for star striker Alexander Isak - and some fans in the Chronicle Live comments section are telling their club that they should not roll over for anything less for an astronomical sum.
Liverpool are seeking to reinforce their squad to mount a title defence next season, and one of the areas they are yet to make a move in is up front.
Isak is admired by top clubs around Europe and beyond after an excellent couple of seasons on Tyneside, and Liverpool have reportedly made enquiries to sound out a deal worth £120 million to the Magpies - which would break the Reds' incoming transfer record for the second time this summer after bringing in Florian Wirtz.
Newcastle have not commented on the approach, but the view within the club is that Isak is not for sale, and it would take a truly transformative fee for them to consider letting their Swedish superstar leave.
They are keen to offer him a new contract to keep him at the club for years to come, and any deal would most likely make him the highest-paid player in Toon history as they continue to stake their claim as one of the Premier League's top clubs.
Some fans are more than happy to send Liverpool the "hands off" message while Newcastle remains quiet. Reader 1snowbear says: "Unless Isak forces a move, in my opinion I do not see NUFC selling him at any price. The message to Liverpool is ISAK IS NOT FOR SALE."
Newcastle must stand up to other clubs with their targets, says AugCaesar: "I literally cannot see Isak going anywhere in the current open window. He's far too good to let go. The silly six are panicking because we have one of the best strikers in the world and could be about to add another striker worth his weight in gold. The likes of Liverpool would never go for Ekitike normally. It's all about stopping the Toon becoming number one. Simple as that."
Commenter Vestanpanz writes: "I remember the fans' uproar when Keegan sold Andy Cole to Man Utd. Selling Isak to Liverpool would be much worse."
HoldTheLine says: "Isak is the line in the sand. Our owners cannot blink… this is the one that will send the biggest message to the rest of the League. And on the back of this, we should go out and strengthen even more."
TerryMcdine writes: "Newcastle really need to show their intent by announcing a new contract for Isak. And it isn't just about Isak, it's about their ambition."
Others would at least entertain the offer if the Magpies can come out on top after the dust settles. Paranoidandroid says: "When you look at the Isak and Ekitike's heat maps, they play in virtually identical parts of the pitch. Both out-and-out strikers with a preference for the left side of the box.
"If we are serious about Ekitike it can only be as 'Isak version 2', not as an addition to a team with Isak still playing. Suspect it's going to be £130m for Isak and straight away £90m for Ekitike, £40m in pocket and a massive profit on Isak. Don't want to lose Isak, but football is a business."
Robin85 writes: "We will now see PIF's level of interest and ambition. Losing Isak would be bad short-term but he is not irreplaceable and we would get a good amount of dough to get someone in.
"The bigger issue would be the impact on the rest of the squad and on Howe's perception of the project. Note they have been very slow in several areas such as the stadium and player dealing, as well as in offering Isak the new deal he was promised and this has come back to bite them."
Have your say! What would be a fair price to let Alexander Isak go to a Premier League rival? What would a sale say about the club ownership? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.