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Another day brings another development in the Alexander Isak to Liverpool transfer saga.
The striker, who reportedly told Newcastle he will never play for them again, has even put his North East home up for rent. It's clear as day that Isak has his heart set on Liverpool. However, whether this dream materializes in the remaining three weeks of the transfer window is yet to be seen.
What we do know is that the Reds made a £110 million ($149 million) bid for him. This offer was turned down, with the Magpies allegedly holding out for £150 million ($203.2 million), and Liverpool has no plans to make a second bid.
That doesn't mean Liverpool has lost interest. The Reds are keeping a close eye on the situation at Newcastle, whose efforts to strengthen its forward line, let alone replace its top scorer from last season with 27 goals, have so far been unsuccessful.
The Magpies are also keen to avoid seeing Isak play for the Premier League champions when they visit St. James' Park on Monday, August 25. It seems this transfer saga will continue until the final week of the window.
However, Paul Merson believes the Reds won't raise their initial offer following the striker's recent actions.
"Newcastle rejected an opening offer of £110 million plus add-ons but now, after what Isak has said and done, Liverpool are not going to offer any more," wrote the Arsenal legend for Sky Sports. "Why would they? They know the situation and know Newcastle don't want an unhappy player.
"The timing from Isak is interesting. Maybe he thought a deal over £110 million would be enough. Newcastle held firm, but now he obviously just wants to get away from St. James' Park.
"His hand has now been forced, and that's why he is saying he won't play again for Newcastle. He potentially thought the initial offer would get accepted, and he wouldn't have to do anything. He thought he'd be leaving a hero, but now that has gone."
Many pundits tip Liverpool as favorites to reclaim the Premier League crown they secured so convincingly last campaign, with some suggesting Isak's arrival would make it a certainty.
However, Merson, who denied the Reds two First Division titles during his Arsenal playing days, disagrees with that assessment. The former England international believes Arne Slot's team, who suffered defeat to Crystal Palace in Sunday's Community Shield, has a more pressing transfer need.
He explained: "If I was Liverpool, I'd be looking more for a centre-back than Isak. Arne Slot has enough options going forward without needing Isak.
"Hugo Ekitike looked very good against Crystal Palace. They desperately need another defender. I hear a lot of people saying that if Liverpool get Isak it's game over in the Premier League. It's finished. I don't see that at all.
"It causes more problems, if anything. Where does Cody Gakpo play? There's Florian Wirtz, Mo Salah and then Ekitike. If Isak arrives, they can't all play. Slot will have to mix things up and change things constantly to keep everyone happy and that causes problems."
The Reds begin their Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth on Friday (August 15) before making the trip to Newcastle (August 25) and then welcoming last season's runners-up Arsenal (August 31). The transfer window shuts at 7pm on Monday, September 1.
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