Newcastle Weigh Striker Options as Liverpool Circle Alexander Isak
Isak Unsettled Amid Liverpool Pressure
Newcastle United are preparing for a turbulent few weeks in the transfer window, with Liverpool circling around prized asset Alexander Isak. The Premier League champions have tabled an opening offer for the Swedish international, but Newcastle were swift and resolute in their response. The bid was rejected outright, with the club reportedly valuing Isak at £150 million.
That price tag, however, may not even prove decisive. Newcastle are unwilling to entertain any exit unless they secure a viable replacement. The striker has become pivotal under Eddie Howe and remains central to their ambitions both domestically and in Europe.
Sesko Talks Ongoing Despite Setback
Newcastle's top target to replace Isak is RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko. Aged just 22, the Slovenian has drawn admiring glances from St James' Park for months. However, Leipzig rejected the Magpies' opening bid and talks remain delicate. To complicate matters, Manchester United are believed to be preparing their own approach for the striker, threatening Newcastle's pursuit.
Photo IMAGO
Aghehowa Considered as Contingency
With the Sesko deal far from guaranteed, Newcastle have identified an alternative. Spanish journalist Eduardo Burgos reports that Porto forward Samu Aghehowa is now under serious consideration. 'Newcastle United is interested in the situation of Samu Aghehowa,' Burgos confirmed.
The former Atletico Madrid striker is valued at €80 million, mirroring Newcastle's proposal for Sesko. However, Porto are reluctant to sell and may hold firm for another year. 'They have been monitoring his progress since the beginning of the year,' Burgos added. 'He is one of the options being considered for the forward position, although they have not yet made an offer. Porto wants to keep him for another year: they are asking for €80M.'
Pressure Mounts in Final Weeks
As Liverpool's intent hardens, and with Manchester United eyeing the same targets, Newcastle's transfer strategy is under increasing strain. Whether it is Sesko, Aghehowa or another name altogether, the Magpies may need to act fast to avoid being left behind in this fiercely contested market.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hundred 'can secure counties' futures'
The millions generated by the sale of teams in The Hundred franchise should "secure the future of counties for a generation", says departing Leicestershire chief executive Sean Jarvis. Richard Gould, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), told BBC's Test Match Special this week that Leicestershire would receive £28m following the sales which raised about £520m. Speaking to BBC Radio Leicestershire, Jarvis said that was the figure he was expecting to arrive at the club - but warned it must be invested soundly. "Financially it has been incredibly difficult for a club of our size to compete," he said. "£28m is the figure that has been bandied about. We have no reason to not believe that and we should see £28m come to Leicestershire. "Leicestershire can secure its future for more than a generation if it is spent wisely. The long-term can be really healthy and successful. "What it must not do is fritter away the money - £28m can easily be wasted as you have seen in other sports." The final year of The Hundred as we know it? 'Seminal moment' - stakes sold in six Hundred teams Counties to receive Hundred money from Thursday Jarvis announced this year that it would be his final one with the club. He says the funds must be used to develop Grace Road into a facility that can make money all year round and secure the county's long-term future. "Our debts are around £2m - this money will allow the club to get rid of those debts," he said. "What you do with that money is a club decision and the members should have a say. In the next five years they have to decide what it is they can build here that can generate income for the club. "The vision is there, but Leicestershire can't survive on playing cricket at the ground for 60-odd days a year. They have to make the ground state of the art, and one that can generate money."
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Injured Manchester United starter still hoping to feature vs Arsenal
Andre Onana is still hoping to be fit to face Arsenal in Manchester United's first game of the new Premier League campaign, as he works to recover from injury. Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images The Manchester Evening News report in their print edition on Tuesday, August 5th that Andre Onana hopes to be available for Manchester United's opening Premier League fixture against Arsenal. Onana has been out of action since the first week of pre-season training with a hamstring injury, and he's already missed all but one of their friendly matches. Yet he's optimistic he'll be ready in time for the Arsenal clash. 'I feel good, I feel great,' Onana said on Sunday. 'It's been a few difficult weeks but, yes, hopefully, I will be back for the start of the season. 'I'm enjoying the training with my guys and we are looking forward.' Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images A return for Onana against Arsenal would be a boost for United, given the initial timeline suggested he wouldn't be back until August 23rd at the very earliest. Even that would be a week too late to play against Mikel Arteta's side. Lisandro Martinez will be out of the match with his ACL injury, but Joshua Zirkzee is also expected to return in time for the Arsenal game. Noussair Mazraoui is being assessed for a hamstring injury, so he may or may not be available depending on the outcome of that assessment. Photo via As it stands, Arsenal are only expected to be without Gabriel Jesus for the trip to Old Trafford, though it remains unclear how serious Leandro Trossard's injury scare will turn out to be.
Associated Press
23 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Jorge Costa, Champions League winning captain of Porto, dies at 53
PORTO, Portugal (AP) — Jorge Costa, who captained Porto to the 2004 Champions League title, died Tuesday of cardiac arrest, the club said. He was 53. Costa, a central defender who made 50 international appearances for Portugal, was Porto's director of football at the time of his death. The club's said in its announcement that Costa embodied Porto's values: 'dedication, leadership, passion, and an unwavering spirit of conquest.' Portuguese media reported that Costa sustained cardiac arrest at the club's training center and was transported to São João Hospital. Costa's finest achievement in his playing career was as captain of Jose Mourinho's Porto team that was a surprise winner of the Champions League in 2004. A year earlier, he lifted the second-tier UEFA Cup. Costa also helped Porto win eight Portuguese league titles. He spent a short period on loan at English team Charlton in the 2001-02 season. 'To hear of a life taken at 53 is never nice to hear, but he's a former teammate who had such a great standing in the game and captained a Champions League winning side,' said Steve Brown, chair of Charlton's ex-players' association. 'He was loved at Charlton, a man mountain of a player and a great guy too.' ___ AP soccer:
