A lot of dominoes still need to fall for Alexander Isak to leave Newcastle United and join Liverpool, but that is very much his desire.
With less than a week to go before the summer transfer window closes, the Alexander Isak situation remains unresolved.
Isak met with club officials on Monday, as they attempted to bring clarity to the situation just hours before Newcastle’s loss to Liverpool.
All summer, Newcastle have been determined to keep Isak. The only way he will leave is if a replacement is found and a suitable offer comes in.
Newcastle want £150million for Isak, which would break the British transfer record. For Liverpool, that is where the problem lies.
Alexander Isak playing for Newcastle United against Everton.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Liverpool will not meet Newcastle United’s valuation for Alexander Isak
Liverpool have already spent more than £100million on a player this summer, bringing in Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
They are prepared to do it again to sign Isak, but not to the extent that Newcastle United want them to.
According to the Telegraph, Liverpool remain unwilling to pay Newcastle’s £150million for Isak.
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The Telegraph state that Liverpool are ready to launch a second offer, but will only make their move if they are given encouragement to do so by the higher ups at St James’ Park.
Following his meeting with the club, the Telegraph state that Isak has reinforced his desire to be sold by Newcastle United this summer.
Alexander Isak piles the pressure on Newcastle United again
The hope was that talks between Isak and Newcastle United officials would kickstart the process of him being reintegrated into Eddie Howe’s squad.
However, that currently does not appear to be the case.
The 25-year-old is not backing down, remaining determined to secure a summer transfer to Liverpool. His stance is ensuring that Newcastle United remain under pressure, and only time will tell if they wilt.
The Magpies are in an unenviable position. On the one hand, they have to keep Isak so that they can send a message that they will not be pushed around. On the other, they should sell him as he has become a toxic presence at the club.
The main factor is whether or not he can be replaced. Newcastle United have struggled to do that so far, and it is difficult to see how that situation changes between now and 1st September.