3 weeks ago
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Liverpool is hopeful of concluding a deal worth around $169 million (£125 million) for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, with the saga of the summer nearing an end.
After making an initial bid worth around $148 million (£110 million) last month, Liverpool has finally returned to the table. Isak is set to get his dream transfer, while Newcastle has signed Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart this week and could also squeeze a deal for Yoane Wissa through from Brentford.
The obvious pick for Isak when it comes to a shirt number would be nine, which is vacant at Anfield because of Darwin Nunez's departure. The Uruguayan signed for Al Hilal earlier in the window.
The other numbers that are free for incomings are 13, 16 and 21, 23 and 24, plus any that are left available after potential departures.
Previously, Isak has worn a variety of numbers for various clubs including 14 (currently Federico Chiesa's), 19 (currently Harvey Elliott's), and 24 (currently vacant).
"Newcastle haven't got one of the players that they want in," Newcastle legend Alan Shearer said on The Rest Is Football podcast before details emerged of Isak's impending move emerged.
"I'd be surprised if Newcastle let him go without getting another forward in. [Will Osula] is not ready to lead the line for Newcastle.
"Potential? Yes. Attitude? Absolutely. You can't fault his efforts and everything else. But he's not ready to lead Newcastle in the Champions League and going forward in the league to try and get in a top five or top six space.
"His time may come in the future, but he's not ready to start yet. Woltemade, I think he could be a really clever signing. But it also comes with a risk because ultimately, he's had seven or eight months playing good football.
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"He has not scored a lot of goals and has not gotten great experience. Just under £70m.
"Newcastle, unfortunately, are always going to have to pay over the limit because there is a Saudi price now, and there might be an Isak price.
"Other clubs know that Newcastle are on the hunt for a forward, so they were always going to get stung with the price. It could turn out to be really smart signing, but it's a big, big ask for him to go in and lead the line as Newcastle's No. 9."
Liverpool.com says: Isak looks to have got his way and it would be a surprise if he didn't pick the number nine shirt. The saga has gone on long enough that he's had more than enough time to think about it...
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