Newcastle could soon be able to sign a replacement for Alexander Isak, who continues to be linked with a move to Liverpool
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United
Liverpool's pursuit of Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak could gather pace in the days ahead, with Brentford's pursuit of Dango Ouattara set to trigger a chain reaction in the Premier League. The Reds are in the market for attacking reinforcements after the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez and the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota last month and have earmarked the Magpies' No.14 as their chief target.
But the Premier League champions' opening offer for Isak, worth a flat £110m, was emphatically rejected by the St James' Park outfit earlier this month. Newcastle had initially insisted that Isak would not be sold this summer, with the Sweden international having three years left on his current deal.
But after Isak ruled himself out of the club's pre-season tour of the Far East due to a muscle injury, reports in the North East have claimed that the forward could be allowed to leave if Newcastle are able to secure a couple of replacements.
So far this summer, Eddie Howe's side have been unsuccessful in their attempts to recruit a new forward, with Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko all snubbing moves to St James' Park.
As a result, Newcastle recently turned their attention to Yoane Wissa, though Brentford were unwilling to sell the 28-year-old until they themselves could land a replacement.
Now, it seems that they have done just that after they agreed a club-record deal, worth roughly £42.5m, with Bournemouth to sign forward Dango Ouattara.
If Ouattara can finalise a move to the G-Tech Stadium in the days ahead, it will free Wissa up for a move to the North East, in turn potentially allowing Isak to seal his dream move to Anfield before the transfer window closes on September 1.