Liverpool could have more clarity on their pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander in the coming days after they missed out on Benjamin Sesko, Reds transfer expert David Lynch has claimed.
The Merseysiders will take on Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday, and supporters will hope to see centre-forward Hugo Ekitike in action at Wembley.
Arne Slot could be reinforced by the arrival of another striker in the form of Isak, though Newcastle are struggling to find a replacement, with the club most recently losing out on RB Leipzig's Sesko to Manchester United.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch insisted that progress could be made on the deal in the near future as the Magpies will be desperate to sign a forward, saying: "Getting Sesko over the line would have been - not just because he's a hot property in European football - a good move in terms of PR.
"There's a little bit of glamour to the name, and Newcastle fans would be sated. Him coming in would have felt like, 'ok, we can let Isak go. We've got the next guy who's hopefully going to do similar things'.
"Wissa looks like it will get done, but they need to get back up to two centre-forwards, which would give them room then to move Isak on. It does feel like a key week, and key in terms of the developments we've seen with Sesko and the ramifications for Liverpool."
The Toon have been linked with a host of targets this summer, but have missed out on players to the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak on April 2, 2025
Will Liverpool still sign Isak this summer transfer window?
There are concerns that Newcastle's failure to sign Sesko could impact the Reds' pursuit of Isak given the transfer window closes on September 1.
Having not renewed the contract of Callum Wilson, the departure of their remaining number nine would leave boss Eddie Howe short of options up front.
Lynch expressed his view that the collapsed Sesko deal will not significantly impact the Reds' Isak pursuit, when he told Sports Mole: "We'll see. Obviously, Newcastle haven't had a great success rate, so that's a spanner in the works.
"It probably would have been better for everybody if Newcastle got Sesko signed, but I don't think it's going to massively affect Liverpool because Newcastle have realised they're in a position where it's just best to sell now and they have got alternative options in that centre-forward role."
Liverpool will reportedly only make a second bid for Isak once they receive encouragement from the Toon, something that is only likely to happen once they find a replacement for the Swedish striker.
Alexander Isak in action for Newcastle United on May 25, 2025
Who are realistic alternatives to Sesko for Newcastle?
Newcastle have found it difficult to compete with the Premier League's established elite, and they may struggle to find an alternative for Sesko if they continue to pursue targets wanted by Europe's biggest clubs.
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson was linked, but the forward is said to be of interest to German giants Bayern Munich.
Despite the list of potential signings thinning, Lynch was confident that Newcastle would find an alternative, telling Sports Mole: "They're looking elsewhere. Goncalo Ramos at PSG is another name that's been mentioned. I don't think that their chase for a striker ends at Sesko.
"In PR terms, it will be helpful for Newcastle to get that one over the line because my feeling is if you sign someone like Ollie Watkins, who's been fantastic in the Premier League in recent seasons, it's very hard as a fan to see the full upside of that one."
The club have most recently credited with a strong interest in Porto forward Samu Aghehowa by David Ornstein, so perhaps Newcastle will finally land their Isak replacement.
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