2 days ago
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Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has lifted the lid on how Alexander Isak could force through a move to Anfield, having done so himself during his playing career.
Isak continues to be heavily linked with joining the Reds this summer, despite Liverpool having a $146 million bid turned down by Newcastle on Friday.
There are varying reports on whether the Reds will return with another bid for the striker, although it does seem any future offer would be dependent on Newcastle securing a replacement for Isak first, while Liverpool will also be looking to offload some of its players over the coming weeks.
Newcastle is in the midst of a transfer battle along with Manchester United for the signature of Benjamin Sesko, with the Magpies having had a bid turned down by RB Leipzig. Should Eddie Howe’s side win that race, that could be the trigger for Liverpool to return for Isak, although there is considerable doubt now about whether a deal will be possible this summer.
For the time being, the Sweden international is returning to the north-east to meet back up with his current teammates, having sat out Newcastle’s recent tour of Asia. Isak had been training alone at former club Real Sociedad after making it clear he wanted to leave St James’ Park.
What’s more, he is reported to want the move to Anfield, and Pennant has explained what the 25-year-old may be going through in order to push through the transfer.
“From the player’s side, he’s going to be non-stop in communication with his representatives, trying whatever way, shape, form possible to make this happen,” Pennant told talkSPORT.
“Probably make it as uncomfortable as they can for Newcastle to will this over the line, to make it as easy as possible for the deal to go through. He’ll be doing everything he can trying to negotiate this move. There’ll be a back and forth with his agent to have meetings and whatnot.”
Pennant himself managed to force through a move to Liverpool from Birmingham City in 2006, and has detailed the lengths he went to in order to get the switch to Anfield.
“When I got my move to Liverpool, when I heard they were interested, I was non-stop on the phone saying ‘make this happen, make this happen,'” Pennant said. “I fell out with my agent for like a month.
“Throughout pre-season nothing was happening and I was saying every day ‘what’s the situation?’ I was a big baby, I threw my toys out of the pram, I said make this happen or I’m not speaking to you! I’m not saying he’ll be doing that but there’ll be conversations going on.”
Liverpool isn’t currently planning on following up on its first bid for Isak, with Newcastle’s prompt response suggesting there would be little point in the Reds trying to convince the Magpies to make a U-turn on their stance.
Another bid further down the line has not been ruled out though, and may depend on whether Newcastle can sign Sesko or another striker before the summer window closes on September 1.
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