Newcastle are unlikely to sell Alexander Isak to Liverpool if they are unable to secure replacements in time, journalist Paul Joyce has claimed.
The Swedish international remains Liverpool’s top transfer target ahead of the market deadline on 1 September, but their pursuit could well depend on whether Newcastle are able to sign a new striker.
The Magpies have already missed out on a host of transfer targets this summer, including Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Hugo Ekitike, who all joined rival Premier League clubs.
They are also likely to concede defeat in the race for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, with Manchester United now front-runners to land the Slovenia international.
Alexander Isak Could Remain at Newcastle
Magpies struggling to find a replacement
newcastle alexander isak
Joyce, speaking on the Off The Ball channel, predicted that Liverpool may struggle to sign Isak if Newcastle are unable to find a replacement in the coming weeks:
“I think the situation remains in Newcastle's court. Obviously, they're trying to get reinforcements in, and it would look like replacements for Isak. Obviously they’re struggling with that.
“If we're talking about well-run clubs, if you look at Newcastle and the struggles they're having, they’ve not got a sporting director in place, and I think that's making a massive difference.
“Because it's now Liam Delap they've missed out, Joao Pedro, Ekitike, who's gone to Liverpool, obviously, possibly missing out on Sesko now.
“So until that situation is resolved with Newcastle, in terms of bringing in players, it almost to me, in my view, it sort of complicates Liverpool's interest in Alexander Isak.
“Because I just don't see how Newcastle will be able to not get quality strikers in and then sell their best player from last season, who helped them get into the Champions League and, as we saw at Wembley, helped them beat Liverpool and the Carabao Cup.
“Liverpool are there. Liverpool will spend the money. There was talk of 150 million for him, and that was Newcastle's valuation. I don't think Liverpool will go to that personally, I don't think they would see that as good value.”
Liverpool saw their initial bid for Isak – worth £110m+ – rebuffed by the Magpies, who remain firm on their £150m valuation.
Isak has emerged as one of the world’s best forwards during his three years at St James’ Park and enjoyed a career-best 2024/25 campaign under Eddie Howe.
The 25-year-old forward scored 27 goals and provided six assists in 42 appearances across all competitions, helping Newcastle finish fifth in the Premier League and qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Alexander Isak's Newcastle Stats (2024/25 Premier League)
Games
Goals
Assists
Minutes per goal
Minutes played
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Statistics courtesy ofFbrefandTransfermarkt. Correct as of 0 7 -08-25.