Truth behind Liverpool's Alexander Isak transfer stance as Newcastle fear comes to light
Newcastle fear Liverpool are ready to play the same waiting game that once landed Virgil van Dijk in their bid to take £150million-rated striker Alexander Isak to Anfield. The Premier League champions have indicated they are prepared to park their interest in the Swedish international after seeing a £110million bid rejected by the Toon.
Isak has set his sights on a move to Merseyside and has been using the training facilities at former club Real Sociedad while his team-mates are on a pre-season tour of Asia after missing the trip with a minor thigh injury. The 25-year-old risks alienating the St James' Park fans despite reassurances from manager Eddie Howe that he still has the full support of the club.
If the relationship sours then that would crank up the pressure on the Tyneside club to allow Isak to get his wish by doing a deal with the Reds. Liverpool have been here before with Van Dijk.
They backed off from making a move for the Dutchman when Southampton reported them to the Premier League over their conduct during negotiations in the summer of 2017. The complaint was dropped when Jurgen Klopp went public to declare their interest in the defender over - but five months later Van Dijk was snapped up for £75million.
Former Saints chairman Ralph Krueger admitted that the saga had 'created an earthquake' at St Mary's. If Newcastle 's Saudi owners feel they are being manoeuvred into a tough position then it might backfire on both Liverpool and Isak.
But boss Howe is keen to build on the optimism of ending Toon's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy last season and qualifying for the Champions League. He has been careful not to close the door on his best player returning to the fold.
Howe, whose team face Tottenham in Seoul on Sunday, said: 'I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home.
"I was made aware there was a bid yesterday. That bid was turned down before I heard about it. There are people back in England dealing with the situation.
'I really don't know what is going to happen next but, from our perspective, we still support Alex in every way and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again.
'I know where he is through the media, so I think from that perspective it's difficult for me to go into any detail. The situation is far from ideal. It is quite complex. I think that is all I have got to say."
Newcastle are confident they have edged ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign RB Leipzig's Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko after tabling a bid worth £70million, including add-ons. If they are successful then that will encourage Liverpool to believe that they can land Isak in this transfer window despite investing almost £300million in strengthening Arne Slot 's title-winning squad.
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