Liverpool want Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak this summer transfer window and remain ready should they receive encouragement from their Premier League rivals
Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has two weeks left to secure a transfer to Liverpool before the window closes
(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Alexander Isak is still the striker Liverpool want to sign with just two weeks remaining of this summer transfer window. The Reds remain ready to act should they receive encouragement from Newcastle United.
Liverpool made a £110 million offer earlier this month, which their Premier League rivals rejected. However, the Reds are still willing to talk over a potential British-record deal worth more than the £116 million paid for Florian Wirtz.
Newcastle are not yet receptive to doing business, instead focusing on signing not one but two new strikers. Here, the Liverpool ECHO has taken a look at the latest Isak reports and rumours as this waiting game continues.
'Second offer'
Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys claims Liverpool have a back-up bid for Isak in addition to the one made earlier this month. "Newcastle have had two really good offers," he claims in his latest blog post. "Liverpool are prepared to pay £110m now. Their back-up bid is £80m now and £60m more next summer. I'm of the view the only thing Newcastle have to decide is which one to take."
These comments reiterate remarks made during beIN Sport's coverage of Liverpool vs Bournemouth. Keys, however, does not repeat the claim made on-air that Real Madrid might be in the frame.
"I heard today that Liverpool have made a bid of £110m. A second offer of £80m now and £60m next season. Take your pick," he said during the broadcast on Friday night.
Keys added: "But I've also heard that Real Madrid might be in the frame."
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'£15m discount'
Former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson has said Liverpool could get as much as a £15million discount if they manage to sign Isak this summer. He believes Liverpool could do a deal for £125million "plus a load of add-ons, some easy and some not easy" after the clubs play at St James' Park.
Borson told Football Insider: "I think if we'd have looked at it at the start of the summer, you'd have said Liverpool will have to pay close to £150million. If he does end up going now, I think they have successfully chipped off £10-15million of his fee."
Howe responds to Isak claim
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has effectively dismissed the idea that Isak informed him of a desire to leave the club in May. Claims that Isak made his intentions well-known internally before the season ended are circulating in the national media.
Howe has now addressed those suggestions. "Trust me, when that final whistle went (on the final day), that (Isak leaving) was the furthest thing from my mind," he told Chronicle Live before later adding: "I was not thinking of any individual in that moment, so I can't really give an answer on that (fears Isak would leave this summer)."
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