Alan Pardew has been having his say on the transfer saga surrounding Alexander Isak, Newcastle United and Liverpool
Alan Pardew believes his former club Newcastle United will dig their heels in over Alexander Isak following a failed bid from Liverpool
Alan Pardew believes his former club Newcastle United will dig their heels in over Alexander Isak following a failed bid from Liverpool
(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
Liverpool may have shelled out an initial £100m for Florian Wirtz and an initial £69m for Hugo Ekitike as part of a huge summer transfer splurge. But their biggest and most significant deal could well be yet to come.
The Reds romped to the Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season in charge. But it appears the head coach and the club's recruitment team, led by Richard Hughes, have no intention of resting on their laurels.
The champions have committed close to £300m on new signings this summer. It is a massive outlay headlined by the capture of Wirtz, whose move from Bayer Leverkusen could eventually cost £116m.
That would be a British transfer record. But it's clear that Liverpool would have to smash the record before then if they are to land Alexander Isak this month.
The Reds saw a £110m bid for Isak rejected by Newcastle United last week.
The Sweden international has informed Newcastle of his desire to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere, with the Reds understood to be his preferred destination. Reports have also suggested he has no intention of signing a new contract at St James' Park, with three years left to run on his present deal.
The 25-year-old missed Newcastle's tour of the Far East due to a minor injury and was instead spotted training in Spain with a personal instructor.
But he has since returned to the Magpies' training ground amid a warning from boss Eddie Howe that he must "earn the right" to rejoin the first-team squad.
Liverpool have no plans to make a second bid for Isak as things stand but they haven't ended their interest and are keeping a watchful eye on developments at Newcastle.
Amid that backdrop, former Magpies manager Alan Pardew has been having his say on the situation. "I wouldn't say it's inevitable but it looks like Liverpool are playing the game," he said on talkSPORT.
"There are not voices coming out of Liverpool saying we're not interested, let's just park that one. It's rumbling on and it's massively unsettling for Eddie, the fan base and ownership of Newcastle.
“At some point, I would expect them to dig their heels in and say he is not going. I think that might happen, actually. My theory on this has changed.
“I think Newcastle are going to dig their heels in a little bit and get him back into work, get his head around it. He probably won't be there for the first two or three games but that is the route to go.
“I had it with Yohan Cabaye. Arsenal came in for him and we didn't accept the bid. He was on the verge of going on strike, he didn't want to play. This was in the January window.
“It does make it really difficult but eventually his head got around it and he was back to playing at his best. I expect Isak to do that.
“The one thing that worries me about the Isak one is the rumour that it sounds like his team or management group put it out that he went into the club last year for a new contract and it didn't happen and that's where the grievance comes.
“If that is what he's carrying, like 'I'm done', then they have got a problem."
The Magpies have being looked to boost their forward options. However, they have suffered a number of disappointments, with their latest set to be Benjamin Sesko.
Newcastle offered a higher package than Manchester United (£65.3m plus £8.7m in add ons) to RB Leipzig but it has been widely reported that the Slovenia international prefers a move to Old Trafford.