6 days ago
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For most Liverpool fans, Alexander Isak would be the dream signing this summer. But Newcastle United has been insistent that it won't be cashing in on the Swede, who scored 23 goals in the Premier League last season.
Liverpool, at the right price, would be interested in Isak, but has since agreed a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike, who was a target for the Magpies too. And now there might be another twist in the tale.
According to the French outlet L'Equipe, the Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal is ramping up talks with Isak over a lucrative move to the Middle East. It was interested in signing Victor Osimhen, but he appears set to move to Turkey on a permanent deal with Galatasaray.
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, now at Marseille, had also been looked at, in addition to Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. And Isak, supposedly valued at $152 million (£113 million), is the latest player said to be of interest.
It would be a surprise to see Isak, at the age of 25, choose to leave European soccer and move to the Saudi Pro League, even for a huge wage. For that reason, it would be a massive coup for Al Hilal should such a move take place.
But Isak, according to The Telegraph, had been expecting to sign a new and improved contract with Newcastle this summer, and the exit of Amanda Staveley supposedly saw that plan change.
It reports that the Magpies' new sporting director, Paul Mitchell, who has also since left the club, decided not to consider giving Isak an extension to be a priority. The former Real Sociedad star is now said to be "unsettled".
It could be that the talk around the striker is being ramped up to encourage Newcastle to improve the player's terms. Equally, there might be genuine intruige from Isak in what Al Hilal might be able to offer.
Either way, with Liverpool beating Newcastle to Ekitike, who will soon jet in for his medical examinations ahead of the transfer deal being confirmed, this is not the end of the Isak story.
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Over the weekend, he was left out of Newcastle's 4-0 defeat against Celtic in pre-season. Initially, Newcastle said this was because of a minor injury. Eddie Howe later admitted that it was because of the transfer speculation.
"I'd say we have a few players who are irreplaceable," Howe said. "Your top players are so hard to find. They are so hard to recruit and develop. And make them into those players, when you have them you need to treasure them.
"We certainly as staff recognise his talent and ability. We are desperate to keep him as part of our team."
Liverpool.com says: Isak is a great player but the amount of money that it would take to convince Newcastle to part with him would be truly astronomical. Liverpool might get better value elsewhere.
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