Latest Liverpool news and transfer gossip including updates on Alexander Isak ahead of the upcoming deadline
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United (14)
Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
There are four days for a breakthrough in the Alexander Isak transfer saga. Either the striker stays at Newcastle United or Liverpool defy the odds and complete their dream signing.
It would have be a gargantuan effort because they have already been rebuffed for £110m. Newcastle have proven reluctant sellers as they have transfer business to conduct themselves before being able to even consider selling Isak to Liverpool.
At least the Reds have picked out a willing target, as the 25-year-old has not played at all this season in a bid to try and force a move. However, that fact could change very soon.
Here, the ECHO look at the latest on the Isak transfer front ahead of a crucial final few days in the summer window.
Sweden call-up
To cause a certain amount of shock, on Wednesday Isak was named in Sweden's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo next month.
This means he is in line to play for the first time in any capacity in the 2025/26 campaign. That includes pre-season, which he missed the entirety of for Newcastle because of a thigh injury and then the transfer saga.
Sweden head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson said: "I am very happy that Alexander Isak wants to be in the squad, he is a huge player.
"The situation he is in is not perfect and he has not trained with the team. But he is a player who can decide matches and he wants to be part of our squad, the World Cup is important for Alexander Isak."
But the striker is not expected to last the entirety of any game he might play, as his coach added: "I have spoken to him several times; mentally, he is strong. What we have said stays between us, of course. Can he play 90 minutes? Of course not. Not at all."
Second offer update
The i News say Newcastle are bracing for Liverpool to send a second bid for Isak having waited almost a month since the first.
As the ECHO reported, Anfield chiefs weren't in any rush to inflate the issue this saga has given their rivals. Instead they allowed the Magpies and Isak to act as they have both done.
The Reds insist an improved offer isn't imminent as they feel there is only point in doing so if here is a route to it being successful.
In fact, it is said they believe the £110m first offer was actually fair in today's market. The flat sum is a club transfer record, beating the £100m paid up front for Florian Wirtz in June, but falls short of the British record £116m the German midfielder's deal could come to if all add-ons are triggered.
The Magpies have set a target of £150m.
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