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Liverpool has reportedly set a deadline for its pursuit of Newcastle United's striker, Alexander Isak. The Reds have long admired the Swedish international and seemed to have been given a boost in their chase this summer.
This followed the shock news that Isak had told Newcastle he wanted to explore his options. Since then, he has been dropped from Eddie Howe's squad and was the subject of a $149 million bid from Liverpool.
Despite Newcastle's firm stance that he is not for sale, even with Isak's apparent declaration that he will never play for them again, Liverpool's top brass are currently not planning a second offer. However, it's reported that Arne Slot's team has set a deadline.
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that Liverpool has informed Newcastle that if no agreement is reached by next week, it will shift its focus to other targets. Isak was notably absent from the Newcastle squad for the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday, with Howe calling for his striker to make a decision.
“We would like a resolution,” he said. “When I say we, I’m talking about myself and I’m sure the ownership, everyone really, the players that we have, because I think we need that clarity this season.
“Any Premier League season can be hard enough. You don’t need any kind of distraction to swerve your thoughts, to unbalance what we’re doing.
“But I’m certainly not in control of that. And I think there’s only one person really that could control that.
“Nothing’s changed, the door is well and truly open. But he has to decide what he wants to do."
Meanwhile, The Mirror suggests that the Swedish international has earned himself a penalty through his refusal to play, while talkSPORT adds that even if the striker is not allowed to leave this summer, he will still refuse to play for the club again.
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In other news, club officials are reportedly still working on a move for Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi. Updating fans on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano stated that talks are ongoing with Palace after reaching an agreement with the defender.
"On Liverpool, I insist they are still working for Marc Guehi," Romano stated. "There's still a conversation ongoing with Crystal Palace, still a conversation ongoing with the player side because the agreement with the player is okay, from what I'm hearing.
"Still waiting to see what happens club to club. But Marc Guehi wants to go to Liverpool. If it's not now, it's going to be in the future."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
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