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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been speaking about Alexander Isak again, who was left out of the Magpies' pre-season trip to Singapore amid transfer interest from Liverpool.
The Reds inquired about Isak earlier in the month but were told that he wasn't for sale. Now, though, Isak has told Newcastle bosses that he wants to explore his options, with the Anfield side an attractive proposition.
Howe had already admitted that it was his decision to leave Isak out of Newcastle's last friendly, against Celtic, because of the transfer speculation surrounding him. And now, he has been asked about his star man again.
Ahead of playing Arsenal in Asia, Howe held a press conference. "Of course there are things going on behind the scenes," he admitted (via the Daily Mail's Craig Hope).
"Conversations that happen between Alex and myself and Alex and the club will stay private. Whatever happens has to be for the best of the club.
"There are no contract talks taking place. That will be for a later date, potentially. I certainly hope he stays. It's football, who knows what the future may bring."
Newcastle had already been looking to sign Brentford forward Yoane Wissa before the news that Isak wanted to leave emerged. It has since looked at RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, but is still insistent that Isak is not for sale.
Liverpool has already signed several players this summer, bringing in Florian Wirtz for a club-record fee. It also confirmed the signing of Hugo Ekitike, another striker, earlier this week.
It does, however, still have the economic capacity to do a deal like Isak. In terms of PSR, it has no concerns because of its previously conservative spending and substantial revenue streams.
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"It's hard to turn Liverpool down when they look like the favorites to win the Champions League and the favorites to win the Premier League," former Reds striker and Newcastle coach Dean Saunders told Liverpool.com this week.
"Isak is loved by all the fans at Newcastle but I think all the fans would understand if Liverpool come calling, then you have got to consider it.
"It would be a blow for Newcastle to lose him. He is their best player and Newcastle have got the richest owners in the world. It's a bit frustrating right now for Eddie Howe.
"The spending rules are so complicated that managers are juggling and you end up letting players leave who you don't want to leave."
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