Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has previously offered a glowing assessment of Liverpool-linked Alexander Isak with the Reds potentially eyeing a second bid this summer
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United applauds supporters
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has told Liverpool what to expect from a potential Alexander Isak transfer
(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool have already received an assessment of Alexander Isak's talents from Newcastle United teammate Bruno Guimaraes. The Swedish striker continues to be linked with a move to Anfield after the Reds saw a £110million bid for him rejected last week.
The ECHO understands that the Magpies would need to significantly soften their stance before Liverpool return to the table with a second offer for Isak. Any further movement on the situation is likely to revolve around Newcastle securing a replacement for their key player.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, and Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson have all been linked with moves to St James' Park as potential replacements.
But whoever replaces Isak will face a tough task to emulate his importance to Eddie Howe's side. Guimaraes has made that clear, having heaped praise on the 25-year-old before last season's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool - a match Isak scored in as the Magpies won their first major trophy in over 50 years.
"For me, he's the best striker around," he said via Sportsmax.
"Nobody is performing better than him. We are lucky to have him and I hope he can keep it going."
With the Newcastle squad due to return from their pre-season tour of Asia early this week, and Isak already back in the UK after flying to Spain to use his former club Real Sociedad's training facilities, the coming days could be pivotal in determining the stance of both club and player.
Newcastle boss Howe has issued a stern warning to the striker, insisting he must earn the right to train with his teammates. "We are Newcastle United," he told Mail Sport.
"The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad - you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.
"We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal."