Liverpool remain intent on completing one more signing before the transfer window closes, with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak identified as their priority target. However, Newcastle are refusing to budge on the deal after the forward took drastic action by going on strike.
With just a week remaining in the summer transfer market, Liverpool have already invested around £300million on seven new arrivals, yet there is still scope for at least one further addition.
Arne Slot is determined to land Isak, but Newcastle are holding firm while the Swedish striker has reportedly accused the club of “broken promises” as tensions rise between the two sides.
The transfer could prove extremely complicated, with Newcastle only likely to sanction a move if they manage to bring in a replacement. Their attempts to sign Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa may influence the situation, but even in that case, Liverpool may have to pay up to £150m to secure Isak’s signature.
Supporters can still be encouraged by the business completed so far, with Florian Wirtz arriving for £116.5m, Hugo Ekitike joining for roughly £79m, and full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez signed for a combined £80m.
As deadline day approaches, Newsnow Liverpool rounds up the latest transfer updates and speculation surrounding the club.
Alexander Isak Told to Force Liverpool Move
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has sounded somewhat resigned in his efforts to keep hold of Alexander Isak, admitting the situation could be resolved “pretty quickly.” However, that does not necessarily mean Liverpool are guaranteed to finalise the deal.
Howe revealed he has not seen the striker since his outspoken claims of “broken promises,” while the transfer remains uncertain following Liverpool’s rejected £110m offer.
Former Premier League forward Troy Deeney has also weighed in, urging Isak to take control of the situation to force through the move. Drawing on his own experience of pushing for a transfer from Walsall to Watford, Deeney even suggested the striker might have to go as far as “ruin training” to compel Newcastle to agree to his departure.
He told the Sun: “How they should have played it is how I played it with my agent when I was pushing to move from Walsall to Watford back in the summer of 2010.
“In private, my agent said to me, ‘you’re going to have to kick up a fuss here. You’re going back to training and you’ll do all of the running but as soon as a ball is involved, you’re going to have to ruin sessions, you’re going to have to kick balls away. But importantly, you can’t let anyone on the outside know what’s going on’.”
“It was really hard, you would go home feeling guilty, being a d*** for no reason, burning bridges for people you quite like. But you’ve just go to remember who you’re doing it for: yourself. That’s how Isak will be feeling.”
Liverpool Make Enquiry for Brazil International
O Globo have suggested that while a move may not happen in this transfer window, Liverpool are monitoring Fluminense’s young Brazilian talent, Isaque.
At just 18, Isaque is already being tipped as one of the brightest prospects in the country and has caught the eye of several European clubs, including Shakhtar Donetsk.
Reports claim the Ukrainian club saw a £6m bid turned down by Fluminense, although they are weighing up a second approach.
Meanwhile, Fluminense have fielded enquiries from both Liverpool and Manchester City, though neither club have yet submitted an official proposal.
The teenager signed a new deal with the Brazilian side in February and, having broken into the senior squad at 17, is regarded as a key figure for the future.
In other news, Liverpool Could Perform U-turn on £82m Alexander Isak Alternative as ‘Mistake’ Claim Made