Liverpool UNLOCK move for Alexander Isak after striker bid confirmed
Liverpool's bid was believed to be in the region of £120m - with Isak now pushing hard for a move away. It's been claimed that TWO factors are holding up the potential record-breaking transfer.
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One - Newcastle's valuation. Eddie Howe's side do not want to sell Alexander Isak - but these are far from ideal circumstances. He does not want a new contract and has asked to explore a transfer away from St. James' Park this summer.
The Sweden hitman is under contract until 2028 - meaning Newcastle are well within their rights to ask for a big fee. That price has been reported at £150m - although a deal could possibly be done around the £135m-mark.
Newcastle find a breakthrough
Liverpool's bid will have to rise from its current level at around £120m.
And secondly - Newcastle need strikers. Having lost Callum Wilson, the only other specialist in the position that Howe has got at his disposal is untested William Osula.
The Magpies have been chasing forwards throughout the transfer window but have been frustrated in their attempts to add to their strike line. But now a breakthrough is on the horizon - which in turn could unlock Liverpool's deal for Isak.
Newcastle bidding for Sesko
That's because several sources - including Newcastle insider Keith Downie - are reporting that a bid has been made for Benjamin Sesko.
The Slovenian, 22, is under contract at RB Leipzig but it's believed that he will be allowed to leave this summer should certain conditions be met.
Newcastle are competing with Manchester United for this transfer - but appear to have struck first.
Sesko in, Isak out?
'Newcastle have made a formal bid to RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko,' Downie writes on X.
'The bid is €75 + €5m — which matches Leipzig's valuation. (£65.5m + £4.3m) 'NUFC have presented their vision to the Slovenian striker and made it clear they want the deal to happen.
'Sesko is considering his situation with Manchester United also at the table. He is open to both projects.'
So now we play the waiting game.
Newcastle have been rejected this summer by the likes of Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo and Hugo Ekitike - who joined Liverpool for an initial £69m.
Despite their Champions League status, Eddie Howe is finding it difficult to attract star names to the North East. Let's see what happens with Sesko - who is being lined up as the crucial domino in Liverpool's Isak deal.
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