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Liverpool has been urged to divert its attention to Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and end the ongoing pursuit of Alexander Isak.
Swedish striker Isak is desperate to leave Newcastle to join Liverpool, and has not trained with his current teammates since before the Magpies' pre-season tour of China, which began almost a month ago. Isak's situation at Newcastle has turned extremely messy, with the player and the club each giving their side of the story in statements issued earlier this week.
Isak went first, explaining his absence from the PFA awards night in Manchester as he accused Newcastle of "breaking promises" by standing in his way of an exit from the club.
The North East outfit then hit back with a statement of its own, claiming the conditions of a summer sale have not been met.
Newcastle's statement finished by saying that Isak will be welcomed back to Eddie Howe's squad when he is ready, but there has been little to suggest that that will happen any time soon.
Liverpool remains in the market for a striker, having lost three forwards in the off-season and signed just one in Hugo Ekitike, and former Liverpool player Don Hutchison thinks Alvarez would be an ideal signing.
Taking to social media, he wrote: "If I were Liverpool I'd bid for Julian Alvarez. Could be a better fit with Eketike + Wirtz. Sharp no9."
Alvarez only joined Atletico last summer, and it feels unlikely that the Spanish club would allow such a key player to leave this late in the window.
It will be interesting to see whether Liverpool pivots to another option, though, should the club fail to convince Newcastle to let Isak leave in the closing days of the window.
Issuing a ferocious statement on Instagram on Tuesday, Isak claimed Newcastle had broken promises made to him — though he didn't specify whether that was relating to a new contract or a sale.
"The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time," Isak said. "To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
"When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now - and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."
Newcastle met Isak's Instagram post with a statement of its own, as the club said that it believes Isak will remain a Newcastle player beyond the closure of the transfer window.
It said: "We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
"We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met.
"This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates."
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