Newcastle to sign two strikers after Alexander Isak splits dressing room
Newcastle United are working on signing two new strikers late in the window and Alexander Isak won’t be allowed to leave until they arrive, 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 ongoing stand-off between Isak and Newcastle.
Football Insider revealed on 22 August that Isak’s stance on his future at St. James’ Park has caused a split in the Newcastle dressing room, but the Magpies are still standing firm on the striker’s valuation.
Liverpool have already seen one bid of £110million rejected, and sources have told Football Insider that Newcastle will only accept offers in the region of £150m if they have already signed Isak‘s successor.
Newcastle have joined the race for Alexander Sorloth alongside their long-standing interest in wantaway Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, with Football Insider sourcing stating that two strikers will be brought in before Isak’s exit is sanctioned.
Liverpool face Alexander Isak ‘obstacles’ as Newcastle hold firm
Football Insider also revealed on Friday that Newcastle could succeed with a bid of £50m for Wissa, who has adopted a similar stance to Isak of going on strike and refusing to play in order to force a move.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke stated that at least one striker of Wissa’s quality will arrive before Newcastle even consider selling Isak, with Liverpool still some way short of his £150m price tag.
“At Newcastle, this will probably drag right on till Deadline Day”, he told Football Insider.
“Newcastle are digging their heels in – they don’t want to lose Isak, and there’s a lot of obstacles to overcome before a potential move does happen.
“Newcastle need to bring in one, probably two strikers before they would even consider letting Isak go.
“Then, Liverpool have to meet their valuation – which is around the £150million mark – so this one’s still very much up in the air.”
Alexander Isak in race against time to save Premier League career
The Isak to Liverpool saga could indeed drag on towards this summer’s transfer deadline, with the Reds yet to re-enter talks with a bid that comes close to the £150m valuation Newcastle have established.
Isak had hoped that Liverpool’s first bid of £100m would be enough to test Newcastle’s resolve, but Eddie Howe‘s side have stuck steadfast to the striker’s price tag even as the end of the window nears.
The striker’s attempts to force the move through have done his chances of reconciliation no favours, and if Liverpool can’t reach an agreement with Newcastle before 1 September, Isak’s future as a top-level Premier League forward is uncertain at best.