Liverpool has 3 options to consider after failed Alexander Isak transfer bid

Alexander Isak has long been a player that Liverpool has admired. And no wonder: he scored 23 goals last season in the Premier League, beaten only in the race for the Golden Boot by Mohamed Salah.

But while Liverpool would like the Swedish striker to move to Anfield — and Isak himself fancies the switch too — Newcastle United is loath to lose its talisman, to say the least. So far, the Magpies have been unwilling to countenance selling Isak, even though he didn't go on the club's pre-season tour in Asia.

"I was made aware of a bid yesterday and that bid was turned down, all before I’d even heard about it," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said in a press conference earlier. "People back in England are dealing with the situation.

"I don’t know what happens next. From our perspective, we still support Alex in every way. My wish is that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again."

Since those comments, it has emerged that Isak will be heading back to Newcastle today. His teammates will be back on Monday following their game with Spurs in South Korea.

So what happens now? Liverpool, clearly, still rates Isak highly and could, in theory, make another bid for the 25-year-old. Until Newcastle brings in enough players to soften its not-for-sale stance, though, that would almost certainly be futile.

Newcastle is said to have made an offer worth up to $93 million (£70 million) for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, for instance, though Manchester United is still in for the 22-year-old.

Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, who scored 19 non-penalty goals for the Bees last season, is also of interest to the North East side. However, having already lost the likes of Thomas Frank and Bryan Mbuemo, the West London outfit is digging its heels in.

Perhaps the first thing to do is wait and be patient. There is, after all, still around four weeks left of the window, with the deadline not until September 1.

Newcastle has so far insisted that Isak won't be going anywhere, but he still wants the move — and if the Magpies get alternatives in, it is not inconceivable that they might be more malleable in the coming weeks.

Beyond that, Liverpool could look to sign another striker, but is not short of numbers right now, having brought in Hugo Ekitike.

There is also the possibility of using the money to replace Luis Diaz, though there is also the progression of Rio Ngumoha to consider.

For now, there is no rush. But there can equally be no doubt that the situation will rumble on. Howe will be asked about Isak again tomorrow, and when his side reconvenes for training early next week, all eyes will be on whether the number 14 is present.

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