Newcastle has reportedly been left baffled by Liverpool's opening official bid for Alexander Isak — because it fell significantly below an informal offer that the Reds made for the Swede last month.
Liverpool saw a £110 million ($146 million) bid for Isak rejected on Friday, but the Daily Mail reports that the Reds indicated to Newcastle in July that it was willing to pay £120 million ($159 million) to sign him.
Liverpool's opening offer for the Sweden international was swiftly rejected, and it is reported that the manner of the rejection has led the Anfield club to decide against submitting a second offer.
Newcastle sources are said to believe that Liverpool's lowball offer indicates that the Premier League champion has "bottled it" in its pursuit of the Sweden international.
All along, it has been understood that Newcastle values Isak at £150 million ($199 million), so for Liverpool's opening offer to fall so below that valuation has left the Magpies scratching their heads.
Newcastle is only willing to sell Isak if it's valuation of the player is met — and also if the North East club has replacements lined up. Ollie Watkins is as a possible target, while a deal to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford continues to be worked on.
It is clear that Isak wants to leave Newcastle after three years with the Magpies, and Liverpool is his desired destination, with personal terms having been agreed in principle between Isak and Liverpool.
Isak did not travel with his Newcastle teammates as they flew to Asia for the club's pre-season tour a week ago, with the St. James' Park club's official explanation for his absence being that he is currently nursing a thigh injury.
However, it soon emerged that Isak wanted to leave Newcastle, and he is currently keeping fit at former club Real Sociedad's training ground.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe confirmed earlier tin the week that Isak will not be joining up with his current teammates for any part of the pre-season tour of Asia, but said he hopes to still have the striker on board when the transfer window closes.
"My wish is he stays and we see him playing again next year," Howe said on Tuesday ahead of his side's defeat against a K-League XI in a friendly fixture.
"We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control."