Newcastle United and Liverpool appear to be locked in a battle for the services of both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool have made an approach for Isak, who Newcastle United do not wish to sell this summer.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are trying to hijack Newcastle’s move for Ekitike. The Magpies are said to have agreed personal terms with the French striker, though they have seen a bid rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt.
It’s a fascinating battle, albeit a nervy one for Newcastle fans. It seems incredibly unlikely that Eddie Howe won’t have at least one of the strikers available next season, but the thought of seeing Isak depart this summer is perhaps the most painful potential outcome.
PIF won’t be bullied into a sale. Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan does not want Newcastle to sell Isak, and the player still has three years to go on his contract.
With that in mind, a ‘threat’ reportedly made by Liverpool has not gone down well amongst the Newcastle United owners.
Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is pictured at a golf event in Scotland.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Liverpool tell Newcastle United they will sign Hugo Ekitike if they can’t land Alexander Isak
According to The Daily Telegraph, PIF have not been impressed by Liverpool’s approach for Isak.
They perceive it to have been an attempt to force Newcastle into selling their star player to a domestic rival when they simply do not have to.
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Liverpool are also understood to have threatened that they would hijack Newcastle’s move for Ekitike if they could not sign Isak.
That has not gone down well on Tyneside, it seems.
Whether Alexander Isak wants to leave Newcastle United
Isak has confirmed he’s happy at Newcastle, although a move to Anfield may still appeal. Still, even if it does, it doesn’t mean the player will force the club’s hand.
In fact, Isak isn’t expected to force Newcastle to sell him this summer, which feels very significant.
If he doesn’t do that, then the club are in an even stronger position.
Newcastle do not have to sell their best players this summer, and the length of time remaining on Isak’s contract means there is no immediate financial pressure to cash in on the striker.
At some point, he will leave. It, however, will be on Newcastle’s terms.