Former Anfield goal hero John Aldridge feels the situation over the striker is now 'incredible'
Alexander Isak playing for Newcastle United
Alexander Isak (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Premier League battles between Newcastle United and Liverpool are usually lively enough - but Monday's St James' Park showdown promises to be extra spicy.
While the action on the pitch should be exciting enough, much of the talk in the build up to the game will surround Alexander Isak and his future.
The 25-year-old is said to be desperate to leave St James' Park for Anfield, with the Swede currently not available to United head coach Eddie Howe due to his controversial transfer stance.
He is training away from the main group, and his position has attracted criticism from across football. Newcastle went into their opening game of the new season at Aston Villa on Saturday without a recongised striker, and are desperate to bring in reiniforcements before the transfer window closes on September 1.
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United are unwilling to sanction Isak's departure unless a suitable bid arrives. They value him at around £150m - significantly higher than the only offer Liverpool have made to date, which is thought to be worth around £110m.
However former Liverpool goal hero John Aldridge has branded Newcastle's stance as 'ludicrous' and has urged the Magpies to soften their approach and get a deal done in the coming weeks.
"This one on Monday will be another difficult assignment and Liverpool can't fold under the pressure," Aldridge wrote in his column for our sister title the Liverpool Echo.
"It's obvious what the news agenda is going to be in the build up to it given the wantaway Isak and his willingness to agitate for the move to Anfield.
"Liverpool have been in a similar position before where their star striker has wanted to leave. No one was more gutted than when Kevin Keegan left in 1977 and more recently we've had players who have rocked the boat in an attempt to get out of Anfield.
"Luis Suarez, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres have all caused mischief to get their move, so Liverpool fans know all too well what their Newcastle counterparts are experiencing at the moment where Isak is concerned.
"No player has ever been bigger than the club though when it comes to Liverpool and they have always managed to thrive after their big stars have left. It's been a case of: 'Thanks for your service, now close the door behind you on the way out'.
"But look, the prospect of a £150m bid is ludicrous. This is not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Isak is a top striker but that sort of fee for a player who clearly wants to leave and has even gone on strike to get it over the line I find incredible.
"It's a situation that has not been handled well up at Newcastle but even their Saudi Arabian owners must realise it might be for the best to move him on and reinvest that money."
Newcastle are hoping to sign a striker before September 1, with the likes of Yoane Wissa, Jorgen Stand Larsen, Goncalo Ramos, Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku all linked with a move to Tyneside.
As things stand, Anthony Gordon is expected to continue in a central striker role against Liverpool next Monday, with Will Osula offering an option from the bench.