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Newcastle United is exploring a move for "two or three" strikers— including the Atletico Madrid forward Alexander Sorloth — as it waits to find out what will happen with Yoane Wissa this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, Wissa is still desperate to leave Brentford. However, the Bees have so far dug their heels in on losing him and the St James' Park outfit wants a final answer as soon as possible.
Newcastle has also considered Jorgen Strand Larsen, but Wolves are desperate to keep the Norwegian. And with time running out until the September 1 transfer deadline arrives, there are not many days left to negotiate.
Recently, Newcastle saw a bid worth a total of $54 million (£40 million) including add-ons turned down for Wissa. Brentford is keen to bring in even more than that for the striker, who netted 19 goals in the Premier League last season.
While Newcastle is still insistent that Isak won't be leaving, its statement in response to the Swede going public with his desire to leave the North East side did suggest there were conditions that could facilitate a move to Anfield.
It would first require Newcastle to sign a player deemed to be an adequate replacement, which has so far proven difficult. And then, Liverpool would have to return with an offer for Isak that got closer to the asking price.
"The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle United," Howe said during today's press conference in the North East. "It will do that in every situation."
Earlier in the week, Isak accused Newcastle of breaking promises made to him heading into the summer. That looked like a desperate move to force through an exit with less than two weeks of the summer window remaining.
"[Isak's social media statement] was a sad moment," Howe said when he was asked about it. "My preference is that these things do not happen publicly. They are better dealt with behind closed doors.
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"But needs must (re Newcastle's statement in response). The club has spoken, and justifiably so in that moment. He’s contracted to us. He’s our player.
"My wish is that he would be playing on Monday night with us. He won’t be, and that’s regrettable at this moment. But 100 per cent, I want him back in a Newcastle shirt.
"It is disappointing I am having to mention this at length and taking us away from the football. The players have done well to blank it all out. But it is there in the background, and it is regrettable that we are in this situation."
Liverpool.com says: If Newcastle could sign, say, Strand Larsen and Wissa, then that surely would open the door for Isak to make a big-money exit. At this point, the relationship between the player and the club needs a lot of mending.
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