Liverpool are still waiting to pounce for Alexander Isak in case Newcastle give them the green light.
The Reds were desperate to bring in a striker at the start of the transfer window and although at one point they were struggling to find one, they might just end the summer with two.
Hugo Ekitike is already through the door but Isak remains the top priority, with the Swede also desperate to make the move happen.
Isak has handed in a transfer request, refused to go on the pre-season tour and has been training by himself at his old club Real Sociedad, doing so without the permission or knowledge of his current employers.
This is something Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has finally spoken about, with his message being a very clear statement that will only give Liverpool more confidence in signing him this summer.
Alexander Isak smiles as he arrives at St James Park ahead of Newcastle United's Premier League match against Chelsea.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Eddie Howe sends fierce message to Alexander Isak
Howe finds himself in a rather tricky predicament this summer and has to make a big decision about the future of his star player, although he will of course want to keep hold of him.
However, keeping a player who so clearly wants out will surely only be a recipe for disaster, suggesting that a sale is the only possible outcome.
Howe has also tried to lay down a real marker and show that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated, indicating that he too is thinking that this situation is beyond the point of return.
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“You have to earn the right to train with us. We are Newcastle United,” Howe told journalist Craig Hope in an interview after their pre-season game against Tottenham Hotspur.
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“The player has a responsibility here to be a part of a team and part of a squad. You have to act in the right way.
“We will make sure any player does that, to earn the right to train with this group. No player can expect to act poorly and then train with the group as normal.”
Granted, this is a good message for a manager to have to his players and proves that nobody is bigger than the club. However, surely this just gives Liverpool hope that they will be willing to sell this summer?
Dominoes starting to fall for Alexander Isak and Liverpool
This really has been the transfer saga of all transfer sagas this summer, and although we are reaching its climax, there is still a little way yet to go.
The dominoes are starting to fall, though, and this starts with Darwin Nunez being sold to Al Hilal, with the Saudi club preparing a bid for the Uruguayan.
Not only will this bring in a fair chunk of money, but it will also free up space for Isak’s potential arrival, as well as leaving the number nine shirt vacant that he could take.
Next, however, the Reds need Newcastle to sign RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, as the Magpies will not sell Isak until they find a replacement.
🚨🔴 Manchester United informed RB Leipzig about plan to bid for Šeško…
…also to show evidence to the player that he’s their top priority as new striker now.
Šeško will decide in the next days with Man United and Newcastle proposals on the table.
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Manchester United could have something to say regarding that as they are also interested in the 22-year-old, with the decision now in Sesko’s hands regarding where his future lies.
If all these things happen, Isak to Liverpool is a very strong possibility and the Reds will at least return with a second bid, suggesting that the coming days could be vital, but all the Premier League champions can really do is sit back and watch it all unfold.