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Liverpool made an offer that was swiftly rejected for Alexander Isak this week, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed, but the transfer saga is unlikely to end there.
As it stands, it seems pointless making an improved bid as Newcastle needs to source a replacement before it can think about softening its not-for-sale stance. But Howe has also admitted that while he was aware of Isak training alone in Spain this week after he didn't go on the Magpies' tour of Asia, that was only via media reports.
"I know where he is, really, through the media," Howe said in a press conference today. "From that perspective, it’s difficult for me to go into any kind of detail. The situation is far from ideal and is quite complex."
It is understandable that Newcastle would need replacements before letting Isak leave. But so far this summer, despite being back in the Champions League next season, it has struggled to entice its top targets.
Hugo Ekitike was of interest to Newcastle before he moved to Liverpool, for instance; so too were the likes of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, who opted for Chelsea. RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko is next on the agenda, but Howe was giving little away on the 22-year-old.
"I am sorry to sound like a broken record: I am aware of what is happening, but I am not dealing with it," Howe said, via Chronicle Live, when he was asked about Sesko. "I woke up today and had two training sessions, and then came straight here.
"I am finding out what is happening after it has happened. We will try to bring the best to the football club — I will make that clear — but I can't talk about individual targets."
The Slovenian outlet DELO, though, says that Sesko has analyzed proposals from Manchester United and Newcastle and now favors a move to St James' Park this summer. If that gets done, it would surely be a boost to Liverpool's Isak chances.
Newcastle has also been trying to get Yoane Wissa from Brentford and has been linked with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins this week. And it would need at least one number nine to come in to replace its star man.
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In the meantime, though, what comes next? Isak is expected to return to training with his teammates next week, but it is possible that the striker kicks up more of a fuss.
Newcastle plays Spurs on Sunday in South Korea before returning to the UK; a pre-season game against Espanyol at St James' Park is scheduled for Friday.
And either way, Howe will continue to be asked about the situation until it is fully resolved. If there is one guarantee, it is that the Newcastle boss will be questioned on Isak again tomorrow following his side's game with Spurs, no matter the outcome.
In 23 days' time, Liverpool travels to Newcastle in the Premier League. Whoever the Swede plays for by that point, it could be a tasty encounter. The saga, it seems, is set to continue.
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