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Having seen one bid knocked back for Alexander Isak already this summer, Liverpool retains an interest in the Swedish striker. But for a deal to seem realistic, the Reds need Newcastle United to click into gear.
So far this summer, the Magpies have struggled to get any top targets over the line. Seemingly struggling without a sporting director being in place, despite having the allure of Champions League soccer, Newcastle has been rejected multiple times.
The likes of Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro were admired by Newcastle but opted to move elsewhere. And now it appears that Benjamin Sesko will be picking Manchester United over St James' Park in the latest blow.
According to The Telegraph, after missing out on Sesko, Newcastle will move for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. However, the Stamford Bridge side is set to demand around $107 million (£80 million) for the Senegalese.
If Chelsea holds out for something close to that fee — and with Newcastle's desperation mounting, it would be well within its rights to — then that seems unlikely to happen.
And in addition to looking at signing a forward, Eddie Howe is also said to want to sign Aston Villa captain John McGinn, who will turn 31 in October. The Daily Mail reports that he has emerged as a surprise target this month.
Neither player, heading into the summer, would have appeared to be obvious targets for Newcastle. And McGinn, in particular, would be a rogue signing for a team on the up and trying to take the next step in its development.
Most importantly for Liverpool, Newcastle would get a deal for a striker over the line. Another Aston Villa player, Ollie Watkins, plus another RB Leipzig star, Lois Openda, have also been put forward as possible alternatives.
Newcastle is still hoping to bring in Yoane Wissa, too, after his 19-goal Premier League season for Brentford. The Bees, though, have so far been unwilling to let him leave in the same window as Bryan Mbeumo.
Isak didn't train with his Newcastle teammates on Wednesday, instead arriving at the training ground separately to do an individual session. The Magpies play Espanyol at St James' Park on Friday, but it doesn't appear that he will be involved.
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"You have to earn the right to train with us," Howe told the Daily Mail earlier this week, speaking in South Korea before Newcastle returned to the UK after its pre-season tour.
"We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad — you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.
"We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal."
Liverpool.com says: If Newcastle doesn't sign a replacement, then you can see why it would be reluctant to let Isak go. Keeping him would present its own issues, however, with the player's head clearly having been turned.
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