8 hours ago
37
With just days left until the summer transfer window shuts, Liverpool’s interest in Alexander Isak remains by far the biggest unresolved story.
The Newcastle United forward wasn’t involved when the Magpies hosted Liverpool on Monday and continues to train away from the rest of the squad. Captain Bruno Guimaraes revealed after the Liverpool defeat that he hasn't spoken to Isak in weeks, while reports have indicated the club hierarchy has unsuccessfully tried again to convince the 25-year-old to sign a contract extension.
It leaves Newcastle without an experienced striker for this weekend’s game against Leeds United, having missed out on targets Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike during the window. The Magpies have endured a difficult summer for a number of reasons, but the inability to bring in a new no.9 has certainly hampered Eddie Howe’s preparations.
It has also hardened the stance that Isak is not for sale, with no replacement ready to fill the void should he join Liverpool.
That said, recent reports claim Newcastle is targeting Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jorgen Strand Larsen, while Yoane Wissa continues to be left out of the Brentford squad amid Newcastle’s interest.
The Bees have now been linked with a move for Lyon’s George Mikautadze. As per reporter Sebastien Denis, the Georgian is a target for both Brentford and Villarreal, but he claimed in a post on X that it would take a “very big” offer to convince Lyon to sell.
In a later update on Footmercado, it has been reported that Villareal is planning to submit a €30 million ($35M/£26M) offer for the 24-year-old.
But if Brentford can ultimately win the race, it could help secure Wissa’s move to Newcastle, and potentially Isak’s St. James’ Park exit.
The ex-Real Sociedad man has gone on strike to force through a move to Liverpool and hasn’t played since the end of last season. He has, however, been called up to the Sweden squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo.
“The ideal from everyone is we want clarity,” Howe admitted after Newcastle’s loss on Monday, before intimating it will be owner Yasir Al-Rumayyan who makes the final decision on whether Isak leaves.
Meanwhile, ex-Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer claims signing Isak would be a gamble for Liverpool.
“Of course, Isak’s attitude is a concern," he claimed. "I’m looking at becoming a sporting director, and you look at these situations and try to learn and work out what you’d do.
"You have to question the player's temperament and what he’s doing. It’s a big gamble.
"I don’t know what’s going on, from the outside looking in, but the agent must be involved somewhere giving his advice. I’m sure Liverpool have told him they want him, and he knows they want him."
English (US) ·