Despite snatching Hugo Ekitike for a huge transfer fee in the 2025 summer transfer window, Liverpool have not stopped searching for attacking talent as their frontline overhaul continues.
The Reds sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, while Darwin Nunez has finalised a move to the Saudi Pro League. Thus, a further injection of talent is necessary up front, especially with 33-year-old Mohamed Salah potentially in his last season with the club.
Hoping to make yet another splash, the Reds have set their sights on Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, who bagged 23 goals last season in the Premier League. Isak has become unsettled by the latest developments as he reportedly aims to force a transfer by requesting to be sold, which has only angered Newcastle brass.
The Sporting News has the latest on the situation, which continues to develop on a daily basis.
MORE: Benjamin Sesko speaks on his new transfer to Manchester United
Alexander Isak to Liverpool latest news, rumours
It was reported by The Telegraph on August 10 that Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners have intervened in the Isak transfer saga.
The report claims the club has made it clear to the player — and to Liverpool — that he will not be sold in this transfer window. This, The Telegraph says, has infuriated Isak, with the Reds now prepared to turn to alternative targets.
This development is the latest twist in a transfer saga that has taken some ugly turns.
According to multiple reports in early August, Liverpool lodged a £110 million ($148m / €127m) bid for Isak, which was rejected out of hand by Newcastle. Since that time there has been a war of words in the media, with Isak hoping to force a move while Newcastle hold firm.
Luke Edwards of The Telegraph has stated that Newcastle value Isak at £150 million ($201.7m / €173.2m) and anything less will be brushed aside. The club was frustrated by Liverpool’s first bid, believing it was an effort to tap up the player rather than a serious offer, since it was nowhere close to their valuation.
According to Edwards, Newcastle have told Isak he will not be sold this summer, and the player has not taken this well. Furthermore, until he comes to terms with Newcastle’s stance, he will not take the field for Newcastle, a decision which has “universal backing” from the board.
Multiple reports, including Edwards, claim Isak has been forced to train alone and will not play for the club while he looks to force a move. Without the club’s permission, he was reportedly training at the facilities of Real Sociedad, his former club, before returning to England last week.
Throughout all this, Newcastle have hoped that Isak will come around and sign a new contract at the club. He has three years left on his current deal, but the Magpies have reportedly offered him new terms. According to Fabrizio Romano, Isak has no intention of doing so at this point, and has rejected all approaches thus far.
“Newcastle tried again earlier this week to offer him a new contract,” Romano said on his YouTube channel. “But in this moment, Alexander Isak has no intention to sign a new contract at Newcastle. Alexander Isak wants to go to Liverpool, and so this story remains absolutely on. It’s not over. Follow that one, because the story again is really, really on.”
What has Eddie Howe said about Isak and Liverpool?
It would appear that Isak’s isolation from the first team will drag on into the regular season, as manager Eddie Howe indicated recently. Newcastle open their Premier League season at Aston Villa on August 16.
“We’ve had discussions and it’s clear at the moment that we can’t involve him with the group,” Howe said during the club’s preseason slate. “I don’t know how long that will be for, but that’s the latest.
“I’d want Alex to be playing today, I’d want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us. Let me make that absolutely clear. There’s no part of me that doesn’t want that outcome, but I don’t see the current situation changing for Aston Villa.”
