Liverpool told swap deal will secure Alexander Isak agreement – ‘this will break the deadlock’
Liverpool have been given a brand-new way to complete the deal to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
Arne Slot’s side are in hot pursuit of the Swedish striker, but the Magpies are unwilling to sell him before bringing in a replacement.
Eddie Howe’s side rejected Liverpool’s first bid for Isak earlier this month, turning down the offer which totalled £120million.
As the transfer deadline draws closer, it is becoming less and less likely that the Reds will be able to pull off a move for the 25-year-old.
However, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Liverpool could manufacture some sort of swap deal to complete the Isak transfer.
‘Liverpool have what Newcastle want’
This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Liverpool could bring Isak in by offering £120m plus a player swap, as Newcastle still need to fill a number of positions in their squad.
The Magpies have had a disappointing transfer window so far, and are still looking to add quality to their ranks before the window shuts.
Wyness added that Liverpool are stacked with talent, so could afford to include one of their fringe players in a swap deal.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The one thing that I think could rescue this, if Liverpool still want him, is a player swap plus the £120m. That, I think, is a doable deal that may work.
“Newcastle still need a number of positions, and Liverpool are pretty well stacked with some talent. So that’s the one thing that could break the logjam right now.
“For the second game of the season, Liverpool are away at St James’ Park. That’s certainly going to be a heated game, to say the least, given what’s going on. Which shirt is Isak going to be wearing? That’s going to be interesting to watch as well. So let’s wait and see.
“I think Isak has played it wrong, and I would be being very hard on him if it was me in the club. If I were Newcastle’s chief executive right now, I would really be in a media campaign supporting the club side and saying that no player is bigger than the club, and making sure that the fans knew that this was his choice.
“So anyway, we are where we are. It’s one of those great dramas. They always happen in the transfer window. This is probably the biggest one at the moment. It’s exciting. There’s no doubt it’s a soap opera, but that’s why we love it.”
Liverpool make bold exit decision
Meanwhile, Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Liverpool will accept an offer of around £20m for Ben Doak this summer.
Both Leeds United and West Ham are pursuing the 19-year-old, who could potentially be leaving Anfield before the end of the window.
Sources say that Liverpool will not stand in Doak’s way if a suitable offer that meets their price tag comes in.
The Scotland international is well down the pecking order under Arne Slot, and would need a move away to guarantee first-team football in the Premier League.
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