The latest Newcastle United transfer news and speculation regarding Alexander Isak's future at St James' Park.
Speculation around Alexander Isak and his Newcastle future continues.
Speculation around Alexander Isak and his Newcastle future continues.
The ongoing Alexander Isak saga has been a stain on Newcastle United's summer transfer window and there are just a few days left to find a resolution. The Swedish striker, 25, informed the Magpies of his desire to explore his options after a bid of £110million from Liverpool was rejected.
Isak did not feature for Eddie Howe's squad in pre-season and has trained away from the first team, much to the disappointment of the black and white faithful. The talismanic forward has not also not been a part of any of the Magpies' Premier League games to date.
Isak took to social media last week, claiming that promises had been broken, and trust had been lost. Newcastle responded with a statement of their own, claiming to have been clear about their conditions of sale, which have not been met.
Here, Chronicle Live has taken a look at the latest news and speculation regarding Isak's future;
Alexander Isak transfer stance
Liverpool are expected to return with another offer for the Newcastle United striker before the end of the window, with the Magpies still on the hunt for a Callum Wilson replacement - let alone a player to fill the proposed Isak void.
After statements from both parties - last week - the club and player held talks last week. Despite a meeting with Jamie Reuben and a delegation from PIF last week, Isak has not changed his stance regarding leaving the club this summer.
Alexander Isak in action for Newcastle United.
Alexander Isak in action for Newcastle United. (Image: PA)
'£55m bid rejected'
Newcastle have had a £55million bid rejected for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, as their quest to sign a new forward continues. The Premier League side will also reportedly stand firm and rebuff an approach of £60million for the Norway international, with chairman Jeff Shi outlining his desire to keep the forward at Molineux this summer.
After scoring a brace against West Ham in the Carabao Cup, Wolves manager Vitor Pereira said: "If it's my decision, of course (I'd want to keep him), because he's a very important player. It's not only about the technical and tactical (ability), it's about the character. He's a player with character.
"I can imagine his mind in this moment because he's listened to a lot of things, read a lot of things, and he's kept his commitment. He goes on to help the team. In the last minutes I also asked him to go and help as a centre-back. He's a team player, a top player in my opinion.
"Until now Jorgen is our player and a very important player for us so we'll see what happens. I understand football, every player has a price, I believe. Even Messi or Cristiano. But, for me, he's very important for us and we'll see what happens.”
"In my career I've known a lot of players in this situation and they asked me not to play, but Larsen wants to play every time and wants to help the team. He will never force (a move) but, of course, we know football is football... We must be ready for everything."
What Eddie Howe has said
Speaking after the narrow defeat to Liverpool about getting clarity on the situation, Howe said: "I think that's the ideal from everyone on our side, Newcastle's side.
"We want clarity, we want to move forward, we want the narrative to change because we're in the start of the season now. We're into the action and we've got to get results and we have got to try to focus on what we can control.
"We've given two really, really good performances, we've ended up with one point.
"That's tough for us to take, especially in this moment where you're looking for positives to cling to.
"But we battle through and we now go on to Leeds."
Alexander Isak with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe (left).
Alexander Isak with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe (left).
What the Sweden boss has said
Former Newcastle striker, Jon Dahl Tomasson, who's now in charge of Sweden's international side, has also spoken about the ongoing saga ahead of the upcoming international break.
"Alex is a very professional player, a strong character, and he has worked hard," the former Magpies' striker said. "He is a game-changer.
"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.
"It is very difficult to have a clear opinion about the situation. We do not know what has happened in the club.
"We must be very careful about drawing hasty conclusions when we do not have the whole picture.
"He is smart enough, he is smarter than me I think. I'm very happy that Alexander Isak wants to be in the squad - as he is a huge player.
"The situation he is in is not perfect and 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."
The Newcastle United striker was asked to fulfil media duties by the Swedish FA and he could be ready to give his version of events.
Latest Liverpool claim
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims that Liverpool have already reached an agreement with Isak's representatives and are looking to finalise a move in the coming days.
He tweeted: "Liverpool are ready to finalise the transfers of Alexander #Isak and Marc #Guehi by Deadline Day.
"Agreements have been reached with both players. In both cases, the main issue is that their current clubs need to find adequate replacements."
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