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Alexander Isak and Liverpool: the saga continues. And with the game between Newcastle United and the Reds now out of the way, news on what happens next is eagerly awaited.
After meeting with the Newcastle owners earlier this week at his home, Isak still wants to leave and join Liverpool, the Daily Mail reports. That is hardly a surprise: Isak has been staunch in his position all summer and wasn't going to change it now. The problem is that Newcastle has been equally as committed to its not-for-sale stance.
"The ideal from everyone is we want clarity," Eddie Howe said on Monday, admitting that he wasn't party to the conversations that were had. "We want the narrative to change so [Saudi chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan's] presence is much appreciated from my perspective.
"He is the owner. He is the most important person in terms of any decisions we make."
When Newcastle responded to Isak breaking his silence last midweek with a statement of its own, it referenced "conditions" for a sale. It would need a replacement — probably two players rather than just one — and for its price tag to be met.
Jorgen Strand Larsen is one target for Newcastle. It saw a bid worth around $68 million (£50 million) knocked back over the weekend but could return with another offer.
A bid worth $81 million (£60 million) would be too much for Wolves to reject, the Northern Echo reports.
However, the Norwegian played — and scored twice — for the Midlands side on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup, helping to eliminate West Ham. An exit, then, doesn't appear imminent.
Yoane Wissa, meanwhile, was previously the subject of an offer worth around $54 million (£40 million), including add-ons. Newcastle has wanted the Brentford star for some time, and the player is desperate to make the move to a Champions League outfit.
News of that last bid emerged over a week ago, though, and there has been little in the way of concrete updates since.
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Nicolas Jackson could be another option, though Aston Villa is also in the race for the Senegalese. Jackson worked with Unai Emery at Villarreal, however, and might favor the chance to reunite with the Spaniard.
Isak is still training alone at the moment, and he still wants to leave. But Newcastle could demand as much as $200 million (£150 million) for his services — an inflated fee — even if it gets sufficient replacements in sanctions a deal.
There are five more days remaining in the summer transfer market after today, with the 7pm (UK time) cut-off point on Monday already in view. Isak's position remains clear, but the clock is ticking increasingly loudly.
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