Liverpool have been handed two major boosts in their pursuit of Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, in a developing transfer saga that has gripped the footballing community this summer.
Al Hilal have made Darwin Núñez their top target for the summer, presenting the player with the project and financial package.
Liverpool are expecting a significant offer to arrive in the coming days, which could prove a massive aid to their hopes of signing Isak.
The additional finances from Núñez's departure, along with the sale of Luis Diaz who joined Bayern Munich in a deal worth £65million, would give Liverpool a huge financial boost to bridge the current gap in valuation.
Luis Diaz joined Bayern Munich earlier in the week for £65million
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Liverpool had an opening bid of £110million firmly rebuffed, some way short of Newcastle’s £150m valuation of the player.
Arne Slot’s side are said to be awaiting the decision of Benjamin Šeško as to whether to return to the table with another bid for the Swedish striker, with the 22-year-old expected to make a decision imminently.
Newcastle saw their opening bid of £70million rejected for priority target Šeško rejected on Saturday, with RB Leipzig insisting on inserting a sell-on clause that the Magpies had not included.
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Newcastle United saw their initial bid rejected for Benjamin Šeško
| GETTYManchester United continue to wait in the wings, with the fallen giants ready to bid for the 22-year-old should he choose them.
In another boost for Liverpool, Howe has admitted he “doesn’t know” if Isak will return to training, as rumours of his departure to Liverpool persist.
The Swedish striker has been absent from the Toon's pre-season tour of Asia after telling the club he would like to join the Reds.
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The 25-year-old has been training at his old club, Real Sociedad, who he left back in the summer of 2022.
It had been said that the former Borussia Dortmund forward was to return to training this week. However after his side’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Howe admitted he “doesn’t know” if this will be the case.
He said: “Of course I’d like him [Isak] to but whether or not he will [return to training], I don’t know at this moment in time.
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Alexander Isak did not join up with Eddie Howe's side for their pre-season tour in Asia | Getty“There’s not much time, especially when you consider you’ve got to get whoever comes in, and I’m talking any position here, up to speed with how we play, intricacies of what we do. It’s not easy.
“We’re still actively in the market. We’re looking for players.
“Obviously we lost Callum Wilson who in himself is a massive loss and then you add that to Alex who’s not been with us. We’ve certainly felt their absence.”
Callum Wilson’s departure will undoubtedly be felt more with Isak’s absence, after the 33-year-old secured a move to West Ham earlier in the week.
The transfer saga has left Howe with just William Osula as a recognised senior forward.
The Danish forward is yet to start in the Premier League for the Magpies, but has made 14 substitute appearances.