Latest Liverpool transfer news as two updates arrive on Newcastle's attempts to replace Alexander Isak
Yoane Wissa, Alexander Isak and Jorgen Strand Larsen
Yoane Wissa, Alexander Isak and Jorgen Strand Larsen are locked in a transfer merry-go-round(Image: L: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images // M: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images // R: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
All of the talk in the build-up to Newcastle United vs Liverpool on Monday night has been dominated by Alexander Isak. However, the Reds have been unable to complete a transfer for the striker with now only week left of the summer window.
As the ECHO understands, Liverpool have seen little point in amplifying the noise around the transfer saga after their flat £110m offer was rejected earlier on this summer. Instead, Isak and Newcastle have done that themselves with public statements thrown back forth between one another.
In the North East club's public message, they stated they 'have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired', and they 'do not foresee those conditions being met'.
One way to analyse that would be Liverpool matching their rivals' evaluation, which was reported at around the £150m mark. The alternative is Newcastle themselves being able to recruit a sufficient replacement - or replacements - in time.
Eddie Howe has missed out on a number of striker targets with the likes of Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko heading elsewhere. But, Newcastle are still pursuing two transfer targets and fresh updates have arrived on both targets just hours before Liverpool kick-off at St. James' Park in the Premier League.
Reported by the ECHO's sistern newspaper at The Chronicle, Newcastle have had a £50m offer for Wolves No.9 Jorgen Strand Larsen turned down.
The move has been sanctioned by chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who has flown to Tyneside ahead of the Monday night clash with Liverpool. Despite the setback negotiations are believed to be positive and ongoing.
However, in a blow to the Reds' own hopes it is also explained how a move for Strand Larsen is NOT being viewed as a means of replacing Isak to sanction his exit to Anfield. The Norwegian would be signing to replace Callum Wilson, who departed the Magpies earlier this summer as a free agent.
Isak would be expected to stay even if a deal for Strand Larsen were to go through. That is - unless Newcastle change their strong stance and sell Isak to Liverpool in order to collect the funds to go for a marquee striker.
Beforehand, The Chronicle had also learned of an update on Brentford forward Yoane Wissa. Like Strand Larsen, he too has been seen as a means of replacing the departed Wilson rather than Isak.
Newcastle have made three offers for the 28-year-old who is out of contract in one year's time, the highest revealed to be £40m, but Brentford have held out for £50m - an asking price which isn't expected to be matched.
But Wissa, like Isak, has sought to force the move and has not featured for his current club since the new campaign got underway. His manager Keith Andrews has revealed that Wissa's absence will continue when the Bees enter the Carabao Cup at the second round stage against Bournemouth on Tuesday evening.
Newcastle boss Howe had made it clear before facing Liverpool that Isak would not be sold if it meant his team would be going into the first half of the season without a recognised striker.
He added: "We are making decisions based on what we think is the best for Newcastle United. They are being strong on the valuations of players and on how a player leaves the football club, all of these things are important. They are important on this situation and also the future."
Isak released a strong post on Instagram last week making it clear that he wanted to leave Newcastle, when discussing if PIF would make their own statement, Howe said: "I don’t think they (PIF) are trying to make any overall big statement, but just reacting to this individual statement."