1 week ago
36
Liverpool has been handed a boost in their transfer pursuit of Alexander Isak, with Newcastle's top target Benjamin Sesko encouraging the Magpies over a move to St. James' Park.
The Reds have maintained their interest in Isak, 25, despite already signing up-and-coming French Striker Hugo Ekitike for $104.8 million. Liverpool saw a bid worth $146M rejected by the Magpies, who have reaffirmed their desire to keep Isak at least another season.
Newcastle also reportedly offered Isak a new contract with a release clause, but the Swede signaled his desire to leave the club this summer, with Liverpool the strongest suitors. The Magpies are believed to be holding out for a fee shy of $200M, but Newcastle would have to soften their stance for the Reds to return with a second offer.
However, Newcastle is drawing up plans for a long-term replacement for Isak, with the player intent on securing a move away from St. James' Park. According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle has received encouragement from Sesko's camp over a transfer, with a bid worth $92.9M believed to be in the ballpark that Bundesliga side RB Leipzig would accept.
Newcastle face competition for the 22-year-old Slovenian international, though. Manchester United are said to be eyeing Sesko, and Newcastle is now seeking to accelerate negotiations to prevent another one of their targets from being snapped up, as Ekitike was by Liverpool last month.
Isak, who missed Newcastle's pre-season tour in South Korea and trained at former club Real Sociedad, has now returned to England to begin training with Eddie Howe's side. However, Howe delivered a strong message to his strong man over earning his place amid the transfer saga.
"You have to earn the right to train with us," Howe told the Daily Mail. "We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad - you have to act in the right way.
"So that is also at play here. We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal."
"Of course I'd like him to but whether or not he will, I don't know at this moment in time," Howe said on Isak returning to training. "Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home."
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer also issued a damning response to the Isak transfer saga. “No, I’m not angry at all towards him," Shearer said, speaking on The Rest is Football podcast. "I understand how football works, I know what happens in and around the game.
“I probably understand his mentality. Do I like it? Do I understand it? Probably two different things. But I know what football is about and I know how it works, and obviously Liverpool have been into him or his agent.
"I just thought it might have happened next year and if it really is impossible for Eddie to turn him around and he says no, and it sounds like that is the case, I want him to be out now, you get your big money for him, whoever’s prepared to pay that and you get other people in, hopefully beforehand, and then you move on.
“As I said, no individual is bigger than any football club, and if he doesn’t want to be there, fine, get what you can and get him out and say thanks very much for the memories, off you go.”
English (US) ·