Liverpool have already seen a £110m bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle, with the Magpies' own pursuits crucial if a British record transfer is to go ahead
09:48, 04 Aug 2025
Alexander Isak wants to join Liverpool in a British record transfer
Alexander Isak wants to join Liverpool in a British record transfer(Image: Getty Images)
Crucial developments regarding Alexander Isak's future at Newcastle United and a blockbuster transfer to Liverpool are anticipated this week.
The wantaway striker is said to be preparing to rejoin his colleagues for training back in England. The Magpies now face the challenge of welcoming back a striker who has been absent from the squad for a fortnight and was the target of a £110m bid from the Premier League champions mere days ago.
The response was a firm rejection, forcing Anfield bosses to regroup and consider their next move where the Swedish striker is concerned. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has informed the media that while he hopes to work with Isak again, no player under his management can 'behave badly' and return to the group as though nothing has happened.
There are 29 days remaining in the summer transfer window for Isak to either stay on Tyneside or become Liverpool's latest marquee acquisition. The Liverpool Echo examines the most recent reports surrounding the situation here.
Benjamin Sesko crucial to Isak transfer
Benjamin Sesko
Manchester United and Newcastle are going head-to-head for Benjamin Sesko(Image: Getty Images)
Offering his perspective on the saga to talkSPORT, journalist Ben Jacobs believes the secret to Liverpool successfully securing Isak, 25, will depend on their opponents' capacity to secure a suitable replacement promptly.
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The reporter commented: "I think the Alexander Isak situation is the one to be patient on because Liverpool, even though it sounds a little bit paradoxical to some, are simultaneously not inclined to make a bid now but are also not walking away.
"What does that mean? Basically they don't want to bid blind, they don't want to waste their time. They don't want to keep going to Newcastle United before Newcastle are in a position where they will do business.
"So, it requires Newcastle to effectively indicate to Liverpool that now is the time you can actually do a deal. If Liverpool return to the table they want to do this quickly and not find that there is a string of consistent rejections.
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"How that happens, you can argue two attackers coming into Newcastle United. Maybe there's a scenario where with Isak back in Newcastle he can force the move in a further capacity.
"Not being part of a pre-season tour vs potentially saying he's not gonna train, not gonna be part of the Premier League squad, all of these things could in theory come in the future.
"But the opposite has happened. Isak has flown in, the expectation is that he will be part of Newcastle United training sessions after they get back from South Korea.
"A few moving parts but my sense is that Benjamin Sesko was to pick Newcastle over Manchester United, that would be a sign of encouragement and maybe the first step towards Isak and Liverpool potentially becoming a realistic possibility."
Newcastle set ultimatum
Alexander Isak during the Pre Season Training Camp at FC Seefelder Plateau on July 14, 2025 in Innsbruck, Austria
Liverpool's first bid for Isak was turned down(Image: 2025 Newcastle United)
The Daily Mail reports that Newcastle are seizing control in their tussle with Manchester United for Sesko, having already seen RB Leipzig knock back one bid, but their priority is gauging the 22-year-old's position on the transfer.
Yet again, they could invest effort into a deal only for it to fall through if the player decides he'd rather head to Old Trafford than St. James' Park.
As such, it's reported that the Magpies reached out to the Slovenian international's representatives on Sunday and have set a 24-hour deadline until Monday, August 4, by which time they want a clear indication of his feelings towards the transfer.
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A successful move could edge Isak closer to a switch to Liverpool.