Newcastle issue immediate response to Liverpool's £120m Alexander Isak approach
Isak, 25, has been touted as a possible target for Liverpool and Arsenal over the past 12 months as a result of his fine form for the Magpies. And the Premier League champions have now made it clear they would like to sign the Sweden international for a British record transfer fee this summer.
News of an approach from Liverpool broke on Tuesday at a time where Newcastle are pursuing Hugo Ekitike: the Eintracht Frankfurt frontman who is also on the Reds' radar.
But while Liverpool would be willing to part with an astronomical sum of money to secure Isak's signature, Newcastle don't want to sell.
The Telegraph claim that Newcastle's stance on a sale this summer has not changed despite Liverpool's approach.
It's also noted that news of Liverpool's approach is seen as an attempt to 'unsettle' Isak, who has given no indication that he would like to explore a move away from St James' Park.
Liverpool are expected to sign a new No 9 before the start of the 2025-26 campaign after completing big-money deals for Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz.
The Reds are expected to lose the services of Darwin Nunez this summer, with the Uruguay international available for transfer after a disappointing season in front of goal. Napoli and clubs from Saudi Arabia are understood to be monitoring his situation.
Join the debate! Do you think Isak will stay at Newcastle this summer? Let us know here
Isak would represent another marquee capture for Liverpool, who smashed their transfer record to sign Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal which could eventually be worth £116m to the Bundesliga outfit.
The Newcastle frontman enjoyed his most prolific Premier League campaign to date last term, where he plundered 23 goals in total; a tally only bettered by Mohamed Salah.
The Athletic have confirmed Liverpool's interest in both Isak and Ekitike, who Newcastle have already seen a £70m bid rejected for the Frenchman.
Liverpool's interest in Ekitike could yet see them rival Newcastle for the 23-year-old if they believe that there is no realistic chance of Isak leaving the Magpies this summer.
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