Liverpool ‘confident’ of agreeing Alexander Isak deal amid ‘formal bid’ news
Liverpool are increasingly “confident” of signing Alexander Isak, but he will need to push hard enough to get the deal he wants, sources have told Football Insider.
A formal bid is expected to land at St James’ Park imminently after an initial approach was made by Arne Slot’s side two weeks ago.
Isak, 25, has already told Newcastle he wants to explore a move and was left out of the travelling squad for their pre-season tour of Asia.
He will need to continue pushing hard behind the scenes to force a change of heart from the Magpies, who have previously been adamant he would not leave this summer.
The imminent sale of Luis Diaz is set to free up space in Liverpool’s attack, while Darwin Nunez is expected to follow him through the exit door and Harvey Elliott could also leave.
Diaz and Nunez’s double sale will add to the £55million already received for the departures of Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Nat Phillips and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool have the money to meet Newcastle’s asking price for Isak, although they will stop short of paying the current demand of £150million.
Alexander Isak pushing to join Liverpool after public move
Football Insider revealed on 18 July that Newcastle feel Liverpool were trying to unsettle Isak by making a public move to sign him earlier this month.
Following that, Football Insider revealed that Liverpool could accelerate their interest in Isak if he pushes for the move as it may force Newcastle’s hand.
The striker has since made clear his desire to move to Anfield and asked to be left out of the pre-season squad in an attempt to force through the move.
Despite having signed Hugo Ekitike, Slot’s side have not been deterred from moving for the Sweden interntional and are expected to once again ramp up their efforts.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed in February that Slot views Isak as the “perfect” Liverpool signing and will go all out to land him.
High-value player sales and a lack of spending in recent windows have put the Reds into a position to spend freely without concerns about financial limitations.
Marc Guehi update emerges after Joe Gomez blow
Alongside their plans to step up their interest in Isak, Liverpool are also set to move closer to an agreement with Crystal Palace to land Marc Guehi.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 July that Liverpool still have a “concrete” interest in Guehi despite recent talk about the move going quiet.
Slot’s side are now down to two fit senior centre-backs following Jarell Quansah’s £35million move to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez’s recent achilles injury.
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 20 June that Guehi wants to join Liverpool and will prioritise their offer ahead of the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham.
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