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Alexander Isak's agent recently suggested that the Newcastle United forward is close to taking "the next step" in his career, and it was rumored that one of his representatives was at Anfield on Monday.
Liverpool played a double-header against Athletic Bilbao on Monday, and the Reds won 4-1 and 3-2 with two different squads. The Anfield Wrap claimed that one of Isak's agents was at Anfield, sending social media into overdrive.
Isak has expressed a desire to leave Newcastle this summer, but the club rejected Liverpool's $145 million offer. Newcastle has since sent an official bid worth $105 million to RB Leipzig for striker Benjamin Sesko, which has sparked mass speculation that Isak may join Liverpool.
The 25-year-old is represented by Universal Twenty Two, and one of his agents, Gonzalo Gaitan, recently discussed his client and a potential transfer.
"We are already studying and analyzing all options, and we may be close to finalizing the next step for the player," Gaitin said, via Saudi Arabian outlet Arriyadiyah.
Isak helped Newcastle end a 70-year wait for silverware last season and scored in a 2-1 win over Liverpool in the League Cup Final. Despite achieving hero status, Isak expressed his desire to leave Newcastle in July.
Newcastle was in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike earlier this summer, with ambitious plans to partner him with Isak. However, Liverpool hijacked the move and signed Ekitike for an initial fee worth $92 million.
Despite signing Ekitike, Liverpool then switched its attention to Isak. The striker missed Newcastle's preseason tour due to a reported thigh injury, but it's believed he's pushing to join Liverpool.
After making a formal offer, Liverpool has yet to submit an improved bid for Isak. However, should Leipzig accept Newcastle's offer for Sesko, then a record bid could force the club to part ways with Isak.
Due to uncertainty surrounding his future, Isak has been training alone since Liverpool's opening bid. Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe hasn't spoken to Isak since the offer was made, but sent him a clear message.
After Newcastle's preseason tour in Asia ended, Howe condemned Isak's behavior and warned him that isolated training may continue once the squad returns to England. "You have to earn the right to train with us," Howe told the Daily Mail.
"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."
Howe also distanced himself from the transfer saga because he focused on Newcastle's preseason tour. "Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home," he said.
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