Liverpool news as speculation around Alexander Isak's future at Newcastle continues ahead of the summer transfer window deadline next week
Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak
Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool are in the business end of the summer transfer window with limited time remaining to sign dream target Alexander Isak. The striker is still a Newcastle United player but that is something the Reds still hope to change.
For over a month now the Isak saga has enveloped the Premier League. Liverpool saw a £110m offer rejected after the player indicated he wanted a way out of Newcastle, and since then there has been a war behind the scenes on Tyneside to see whose stance will withstand the pressure.
On the one side the Magpies have been adamant they are not in a position to sell, whilst on the other Isak has ruled himself out of contention for Eddie Howe's team, resisting the club ownerships' latest efforts so he can force a way to Anfield.
The i Paper claims Liverpool feel they have waited long enough before returning with a second offer, and are now lining one up to test Newcastle's resolve again. They felt the £110m presented the first time was fair market value, but Newcastle have other ideas with a £150m valuation in mind.
It is a tense scenario with multiple factors at play, but it must come to a conclusion in the next five days.
A significant part of any completed transfer is the player selecting the squad number he will wear on the back of his shirt throughout his time at the club.
In Liverpool's case, Isak could inherit one of the club's most famous numbers if he does move before the deadline. The No.9 is up for grabs after Darwin Nunez was sold to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal for £46.3m earlier in August.
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It might be considered a dream for the 25-year-old, who would be wearing the same number for the Reds as he would be doing his country, Sweden. Despite not playing at all this season he has been called up for the September international break.
There are two other numbers Isak has worn prominently throughout his professional career. The first is the No.14, which he has worn for Newcastle since arriving in 2022.
Of course the No.14 at Liverpool is occupied by Federico Chiesa, who had been linked with a transfer back to Italy for the best part of the summer. Transfermarkt values the forward at €14m (£12m).
But it now looks unlikely Chiesa vacates the shirt by leaving the Reds in the final days of the window. After his last-gasp strike against Bournemouth on the Premier League's opening night, he said: "We'll talk to Liverpool, but I'll be honest, I'm happy here."
The other shirt number, the one which Isak wore for previous club Real Socieded between 2019 and 2022, was the No.19. Again, Liverpool have this one occupied by Harvey Elliott.
The 22-year-old is another who has had an uncertain future this summer but no deal has transpired and it looks increasingly likely he stays too. Transfermarkt would place Elliott with a €30m (£25.8m) price-tag.
Therefore counting in the £110m Liverpool felt was fair for Isak, it is unlikely all three deals totalling £147.8m, in theory, would happen in the final days of the summer window to allow the Swedish international the choice of all three dream shirt numbers.
Still, he would have a chance to take the No.9 previously worn by the likes of Roberto Firmino, Fernando Torres, Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush.
Plus there are many other key squad numbers available at the moment. They are 13, 16, 23, 24, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 62 and 66.