Newcastle United have rejected an official bid from Liverpool for star striker Alexander Isak, despite the player’s clear desire to leave the club this summer.
The Swedish international has been training away from the Magpies’ squad at his former club Real Sociedad, while Eddie Howe’s team continues their pre-season tour in Asia.
Isak’s absence has been officially attributed to a minor thigh injury, but reports have suggested the striker has gone AWOL amid his desire to depart.
Liverpool had previously expressed informal interest in the 25-year-old and were prepared to negotiate a deal in the region of £120 million.
Newcastle United have rejected an official bid from Liverpool for star striker Alexander Isak, despite the player’s clear desire to leave the club this summer
|GETTY
Their formal offer, believed to be within that valuation, has now been turned down by the Tyneside club, according to The Athletic.
Newcastle have been keen to retain Isak and attempted to secure his long-term future with a revised contract offer. The deal reportedly included a release clause set to activate next summer.
Senior players have also encouraged him to remain at St. James’ Park.
Despite these efforts, however, Isak and his representatives have made it clear for some time that he is keen to continue his career elsewhere.
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Isak joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 for £60m and has become one of Europe’s top forwards, scoring 27 goals across all competitions last season.
His performances included a crucial strike in the Carabao Cup final, helping Newcastle defeat Liverpool 2-1 and secure their first major domestic trophy in seven decades.
While Newcastle have insisted that Isak is not for sale, they’ve started considering potential replacements should his departure materialise.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko was high on their shortlist, but Manchester United have now made the 22-year-old a priority target.
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Alexander Isak was outstanding for Newcastle last season, with the Liverpool target scoring 27 goals across all competitions
| PABrentford’s Yoane Wissa is also under consideration.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have moved quickly in the market, sealing a £69m deal for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike — a player Newcastle had also tracked.
Isak has three years remaining on his current contract, but the growing tension between player and club suggests this transfer saga may not be over just yet.
Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Howe recently opened up on Isak's future.
He said: He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him.
"I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control.
"We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club. My wish is that he stays and we see him playing again next year."
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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is determined to keep hold of Alexander Isak despite Liverpool's interest
| PAShould Liverpool sign Isak, it would complete a summer transfer window to remember.
In addition to bringing in Ekitike, they've also sealed significant transfer deals for the likes of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
Liverpool kick off their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth on August 15. As for Newcastle, their season starts with a match against Aston Villa the following day.