The Alexander Isak to Liverpool saga continues to rumble on, with two new updates emerging after the Reds’ rejected opening bid.
On Friday, Liverpool’s first formal offer for the Newcastle striker was turned down, with the bid thought to be in the region of £110 million.
While rumours of a quickfire second offer emerged, journalist David Lynch was among those to say that the Reds won’t be doing so.
• READ: Newcastle reject Liverpool’s first formal bid for Alexander Isak
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has now suggested that Liverpool are still in control of matters.
“Internally, Liverpool know this is part of the game,” Romano said.
“It’s still the beginning of August, there is still plenty of time to go before the end of the transfer window.
“Liverpool expected Newcastle to be strong on their position, especially because of one reason: the only way for the deal to happen this summer is if Newcastle find a top striker on the market and decide internally to let Isak go to Liverpool.”
This comes after the *Daily Mail*‘s Craig Hope claimed “sources suspect” Liverpool have “bottled” matters and that the Swede has been “badly advised and left high and dry” by the Reds.
Eddie Howe speaks on rejected bid
Alexander Isak 2024 (Richard Sellers/PA)
• READ: Alexander Isak is “the best in the world” – he’s “completely unique”
Meanwhile, Magpies boss Eddie Howe has commented on the latest developments, remaining coy and steering away from discussing Liverpool.
“I was made aware of a bid yesterday and that bid was turned down, all before I’d even heard about it,” Howe said.
“People back in England are dealing with the situation. I don’t know what happens next.
“From our perspective, we still support Alex in every way and my wish is that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again.
“I know where he is (training at Real Sociedad) really, through the media. From that perspective, it’s difficult for me to go into any kind of detail.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Tuesday, February 8, 2022: Newcastle United's manager Eddie Howe during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Everton FC at St. James’ Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“The situation is far from ideal and is quite complex. In terms of trying to upset players, all that kind of stuff, from my perspective, we can only talk about our conduct.
“We try to do things the right way. Signings are always complex. We just try to do what we think is right. I can’t talk about other clubs, not for me to say.”
It would make no sense for Liverpool to walk away from an Isak deal after one failed bid, considering they were reported to only be willing to make an approach if they received encouragement.
But it looks like Newcastle will need to sign a replacement before anything new happens, and there has been positive news for the Reds on that front.
Reporting for Delo, Slovenian journalist Jernej Suhadolnik has claimed that the Magpies have beaten Man United to the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
Should that be the case, Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak may accelerate over the weekend, with Sesko’s arrival at St James’ Park paving the way for a new offer to be accepted.