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Alexander Isak could be a Liverpool player as early as next week, with a resolution to his current situation reportedly likely to come about quite quickly.
It is clear that Isak wants to leave Newcastle after three years with the Magpies, and Liverpool is his desired destination, with personal terms having been agreed in principle between Isak and the Anfield club.
Isak did not travel with his Newcastle teammates as they flew to Asia for the club's pre-season tour a week ago, with the St. James' Park club's official explanation for his absence being that he is currently nursing a thigh injury.
However, it soon emerged that Isak wanted to leave Newcastle, and he is currently keeping fit at former club Real Sociedad's training ground.
Newcastle rejected Liverpool's opening bid for Isak, with some reports suggesting the offer was $146 million plus add-ons. Newcastle is believed to value Isak at closer to the $200 million mark.
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie said that he expects Isak's future to be clarified — one way or another — next week. “It could be done next week, absolutely it could. I don’t see this dragging on until the end of the transfer window,” Downie explained.
“Newcastle would want some kind of resolution, I think Liverpool would too. The amount of money we are talking about is eye-watering. I don’t think this is one that can be left to the dying embers of the transfer window.
“I do expect a resolution one way or the other in the next week or two. But it’s a huge transfer, it would be a Premier League record if Newcastle were to accept.”
Shortly after Downie's comments, it was reported that Liverpool is willing to walk away from a deal to sign Isak due to the emphatic nature in which Newcastle rejected the Reds' bid for the Swede.
Various journalists claim the Reds will not return with a second offer for Isak unless it receives encouragement from Newcastle that a deal could be done.
"My wish is he stays and we see him playing again next year," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said on Tuesday ahead of his side's defeat against a K-League XI in a friendly fixture.
"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."
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