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It is no secret at this stage that Liverpool would be keen to sign Alexander Isak this summer. But so far, Newcastle United has been entirely unwilling to change its stance that the Swede isn't for sale.
On Saturday, following their team's goalless draw against 10-man Aston Villa, Newcastle fans made their feelings known. Isak was, in no uncertain terms, labeled "greedy" for wanting to move to Anfield.
While any switch would be for sporting reasons rather than extra wages, it has not gone down well in Newcastle that Isak is essentially on strike. He isn't joining team training and was unavailable for selection as the Premier League resumed.
It is thought that if Newcastle can bring in two strikers — Yoane Wissa and one more — that might then free up the possibility of Isak moving on. But so far, the Magpies have struggled to bring players in.
Hugo Ekitike only wanted Liverpool, while the likes of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro have also rejected the chance to move to St James' Park, even with Newcastle having qualified for the Champions League.
The latest name said to be under consideration is PSG forward Goncalo Ramos. According to the Daily Mail, he is an option for Eddie Howe's side, behind the likes of Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue in the pecking order in Ligue 1.
Ramos has been linked with an exit for a while now, though nothing has ever materialized. And while Newcastle could make a move, he was pretty definite about his future earlier this month.
Asked about the possibility of an exit before the window closes, Ramos had a short reply. "I'm staying at Paris Saint-Germain this summer," he said, via Fabrizio Romano, on August 13.
Newcastle has also considered the likes of Samu Aghehowa (FC Porto) and Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea). But so far, it has not been able to convince anyone to make the move.
Though it is not going to be able to bring in a similar level of player to Isak, it is understandable that Howe wants numbers through the door. With European soccer to contend with, it cannot afford to leave itself light.
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"I don’t think it has been healthy for us and I don’t deny that’s been a big challenge," Howe said recently regarding the Isak situation. "Alex, for me, is one of the best strikers in the world, if not the best. To miss him from your squad leaves a huge gap.
"Morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season. It was a difficult period for us. There was nothing I could do to affect that.
“When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it’s difficult for the other players to fully understand it and to know how to react."
Liverpool.com says: Isak believes that he was promised one thing by Newcastle and has since been denied it. There is still time for the Magpies to let him go, which feels like the only logical conclusion at some point. The question is whether it is now, or in 2026, a bit like the Luis Suarez situation at Liverpool, where a departure was delayed, but ultimately inevitable.
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