Alexander Isak could ‘force’ Liverpool move after ‘record-breaking bid’ news
Liverpool could move ahead with their efforts to sign Alexander Isak if the striker pushes to leave Newcastle United, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have said about the stalemate between Liverpool and Newcastle.
Arne Slot’s side planned to table a record-breaking £130million bid for Isak in the wake of Newcastle’s attempts to sign Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, whom they planned to utilise up front alongside Isak.
However, Liverpool have stolen a march on Newcastle’s efforts to sign Ekitike by agreeing a deal for the French striker themselves, and a move for Isak will be off the table if Etikike’s transfer is completed.
Sources have therefore told Football Insider that Newcastle look set to keep hold of Isak as things stand, and the Swede will only end up at Liverpool this summer if he tries to force the move through himself.
Football Insider sources have said that Isak hasn’t “shut the door” on a switch to Anfield and is open to leaving Newcastle, but this uncertainty won’t stop the Magpies from demanding a fee of well over £120m going forward.
Newcastle still fear Isak exit amid ‘reluctant’ transfer stance
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that Isak is still high on Liverpool’s wanted list even if they complete Ekitike’s signing, putting the onus on Newcastle to resolve his future.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said that the ball is firmly in Isak’s court when it comes to deciding where he’ll play next season, with Newcastle only likely to sell if he forces through a transfer.
“The only way this situation changes is if Isak pushes for a move to Liverpool”, he told Football Insider.
“That will give them real encouragement that they could get this deal done, despite Newcastle demanding a huge fee for him.
“It all comes down to the player now; if he wants to move to Liverpool, he might have to force the issue, and that might get the ball rolling,
“I don’t think Isak’s shut the door on a potential move away, and that’s probably the biggest concern for Newcastle.
“There’s possibly talks going on behind the scenes for Alexander Isak, that if Liverpool could get to a figure, Newcastle reluctantly could sell.
“They want to keep him and I think it would take a lot more than £120million, which has been suggested to sign Isak.”
Liverpool to leave Newcastle in a bind after Ekitike developments
Newcastle fans were left shocked after Liverpool swooped in to agree a deal with Ekitike directly off the back of the Magpies’ own pursuit, and this move could leave Isak with more questions than answers.
Ekitike has gone from Isak’s potential strike partner at St. James’ Park to the player who Liverpool want instead of the Sweden international, even though the Reds remain keen on signing Isak going forward.
Isak could yet end up at Anfield in the near future regardless of Ekitike‘s position at the club, as Liverpool potentially stand on the brink of plucking Newcastle‘s current talisman and their leading transfer target.