Alexander Isak remains in limbo at Newcastle United as the world waits on Liverpool.
Newcastle United have long insisted that Isak simply isn’t for sale, but there has been a change of late.
Indeed, following the club-record addition of Nick Woltemade, there have been suggestions that Newcastle are open to selling Isak.
Right now, however, Liverpool are yet to return with a fresh offer. It remains to be seen if they do come back to the table for the wantaway Sweden star, although it would be a huge surprise if they do not.
Isak is desperate to leave Newcastle but, as it stands, it seems he may not get his wish.
It’s all set-up for a frantic end to the transfer window, and Luke Edwards has provided an update.
- Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer
Alexander Isak to Liverpool not imminent
According to Edwards in The Daily Telegraph, the feeling within the recruitment world is that a deal is imminent.
That is one dominated by agents and advisors, who seem to think that the 25-year-old is set to leave St James’ Park and Anfield.
However, it is claimed that both Newcastle and Liverpool have privately been denying that is currently the case.
Why Newcastle United fans cannot relax over Alexander Isak yet
The signing of Woltemade takes the pressure off Newcastle somewhat. It’s worth remembering that, technically, they do not need to sell any players this summer.
Now that they have a striker, perhaps the situation is slightly less pressing.
Still, Geordie Boot Boys have been told that Newcastle want to sign another striker before Deadline Day.
That would at least suggest that they are looking for another player to replace Isak.
According to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail, Liverpool are expected to return with a new bid. The delay is said to be merely part of their summer-long strategy of trying to land the player.
“This is a summer-long strategy we’re seeing from Liverpool,” he said.
“And, for me, they’ve played it quite well. Now, they set the bar relatively low. £110million [their opening bid] is still a pretty high offer but they set that at £110million at the start of August.
“That was deliberate. That was a ploy. They’ve left it at £110million in the three or four weeks since. So when they do return, there’s no point bidding against themselves.
“So when they do return, the jumping off point is £110million. This is a summer-long strategy, they’ve also waited for Newcastle to commit money elsewhere, big money as well.
- READ MORE: How Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is feeling about Liverpool move as Deadline Day approaches
“Newcastle are also still pursuing that second striker. Liverpool, now, will believe that Isak has taken it to a point. The point of no return perhaps with Newcastle.
“That was certainly the mood music during the week on the back of that last-ditch attempt from the owners at Isak’s house to persuade him to stay and to play.
“That didn’t work, so on the back of that, there has been that acceptance internally that it is best to move on.”
He added: “But Liverpool now, having left it until this point and Newcastle having committed the money elsewhere, are going to leave as small a window as possible for them and Newcastle to get the deal done.
“They don’t want weeks worth of opportunity of Newcastle having time to reject. Because Newcastle, guys, now I don’t think they want to reject. They want to draw a line under it and Liverpool know as much.”
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
