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Swedish striker Alexander Isak remains Liverpool's primary forward target with just two weeks left in this summer's transfer window.
The Reds continue to stand ready to move should Newcastle provide any indication of willingness to negotiate. Liverpool submitted a £110 million ($148.9 million) bid earlier this month, which was turned down by its Premier League and Champions League rival. Nevertheless, the Reds remain open to discussions regarding a potential British-record transfer.
Newcastle isn't currently prepared to entertain offers, instead concentrating on bringing in not one but two new forwards. Here, we examine the latest Isak developments and speculation as this standoff persists.
'Second offer'
Former Sky Sports host Richard Keys suggests Liverpool has a secondary proposal for Isak alongside the bid submitted earlier this month. "Newcastle have had two really good offers," he states in his recent blog entry.
"Liverpool are prepared to pay £110 million now. Their back-up bid is £80 million now and £60 million more next summer. I'm of the view the only thing Newcastle have to decide is which one to take."
These observations echo statements made during beIN Sport's commentary of Liverpool versus Bournemouth. Keys, though, doesn't repeat the on-air assertion that Real Madrid could be involved.
"I heard today that Liverpool have made a bid of £110m. A second offer of £80m now and £60m next season. Take your pick," Keys said during the broadcast on Friday.
He added: "But I've also heard that Real Madrid might be in the frame."
Big discount
Stefan Borson, the former financial adviser at Manchester City, has suggested that Liverpool could secure a £15 million ($20.3 million) discount on its potential signing of Isak this summer.
He reckons that a deal could be struck for around £125 million ($169.3 million) "plus a load of add-ons, some easy and some not easy" following the clubs' clash at St. James' Park.
Speaking to Football Insider, Borson said: "I think if we'd have looked at it at the start of the summer, you'd have said Liverpool will have to pay close to £150 million. If he does end up going now, I think they have successfully chipped off £10-15 million of his fee."
Howe responds to claim
Newcastle's head coach Eddie Howe has effectively brushed aside claims that Isak had expressed a desire to leave the club back in May. Rumors that Isak had made his intentions clear internally before the season concluded are making the rounds in the national press.
Howe has commented on those claims.
"Trust me, when that final whistle went (on the final day), that (Isak leaving) was the furthest thing from my mind," he told Chronicle Live before later adding: "I was not thinking of any individual in that moment, so I can't really give an answer on that (fears Isak would leave this summer)."
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