Alexander Isak’s absence from the Newcastle United squad against Liverpool on Monday night will not stop much of the attention around the game focusing on him.
Isak is trying to leave Newcastle United amid interest from Liverpool, who could well return with a fresh bid for his services after Monday night’s game.
Liverpool saw their opening bid for Isak rejected and haven’t returned since, although the situation may change after Monday’s game is complete.
Still, Isak is looking increasingly likely to stay at Newcastle. The club are said to have been annoyed by his public statement on Tuesday, and then confirmed they do not expect to see him sold when responding with a statement of their own.
However, with the transfer window open, anything can happen. With that in mind, it’s worth looking at what a senior Liverpool writer has been saying.
Alexander Isak rues a missed chance during a Premier League game between Newcastle United and West Ham United.
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Alexander Isak to Liverpool transfer latest
According to Ian Doyle in the Liverpool Echo, there have been “signs” that Newcastle are relenting in their stance that Isak is not for sale.
He suggests that Isak’s move to Anfield will happen “sooner rather than later” and that a £130million deal might be enough to seal it.
Doyle also suggests that there’s a “nagging suspicion” that Liverpool are focused on signing the Sweden star and are not prepared to look at any other alternatives in the transfer market.
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Liverpool’s stance on Alexander Isak is revealing
Isak is “almost certain” to stay at Newcastle this summer, according to The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope.
Indeed, it does feel incredibly unlikely that the club will sanction his exit. Eddie Howe has confirmed Newcastle won’t sell Isak without signing a replacement, and that has proven an arduous task on Tyneside all summer.
However, the fact that Liverpool do not appear to be looking at any other alternatives does point to a certain degree of confidence in the Isak deal.
The situation will surely come to a head after Monday’s game.