Liverpool prepare £150m bid for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has told Newcastle he wants to explore a move away from the club, talkSPORT understands.
The Swede has not travelled with Eddie Howe's squad for their pre-season tour to Singapore amid continued speculation over his future.
talkSPORT understands that Newcastle sources insist it's down to a thigh issue, despite a precautionary scan coming back clear.
Isak has informed the Magpies that he wants to explore his options, but has stopped short of an official transfer request, as of yet.
The club's hierarchy are aware of Isak's wish to consider his options this summer and isn't willing to commit to new terms, with his current contract running until 2028.
The 25-year-old has attracted interest from Liverpool this summer while also being linked with a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia.
Alexander Isak has reportedly told Newcastle he wants out. Picture: Paul ELLIS / AFP
Premier League champions Liverpool are prepared to pay a British transfer record fee for Isak, who is valued at £150 million [$307 million AUD] .
The Reds have signed one striker already after confirming the arrival of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth up to £79m [$160 million AUD].
However, Liverpool remains an active suitor for Isak, whether now or in future transfer windows, with Newcastle's preference still to keep.
talkSPORT understands that if the Tyneside outfit's hand is forced, then they would rather do a deal to send their prized asset to Saudi Arabia rather than a Premier League rival.
Al Hilal are currently preparing a bid understood to be over £130m [$260 million AUD] for the 52-cap Sweden international.
Isak was left out of Newcastle's pre-season clash at Celtic on Saturday, with boss Howe admitting he wanted to remove him from 'scrutiny' over speculation he may leave the club.
Chelsea are preparing a bid for Leipzig and Netherlands star Xavi Simons. Picture: INA FASSBENDER / AFP
Chelsea prepare Xavi Simons bid – but face major hijack risk
Chelsea are set to make an opening bid to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons, talkSPORT understands.
Simons is close to agreeing personal terms, but is also talking to other clubs with Bayern Munich and Arsenal keen as well.
The 22-year-old is prioritising a move to the Premier League as it stands and could be available for under £60 million.
That's despite Leipzig agreeing an £70 million fee with PSG in January. The breakdown of that package was £44 million guaranteed with a further £26 million in add-ons.
A large proportion of the bonuses haven't been paid yet, which is why Leipzig are prepared to sanction a sale closer to Simons' current market value.
Manchester United have expressed interest in Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. Picture: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Man United enter fresh talks over Villa star
Manchester United have made fresh contact with Aston Villa for Ollie Watkins, talkSPORT understands.
The Red Devils have identified Watkins as a target in their search for a new number nine, but any move is likely to depend on selling players first.
Villa, who have also shown interest in United's Alejandro Garnacho, value England international Watkins at £60 million.
The 29-year-old scored 50 Premier League goals across the last three seasons and was linked with a shock January move to Arsenal.
Ruben Amorim's side have already spent over £125m ahead of the new season, but are pushing ahead in their pursuit of a new striker.
Originally published as Premier League transfer latest: Alexander Isak wants out of Newcastle, bombshell Saudi move
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
36 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Vukic sends Norrie crashing out of Canadian Open
Australia's Aleksander Vukic has pushed British No 2 Cameron Norrie through the Canadian Open exit door after coming out on top in a three-set battle. Norrie, 29, overcame a one-set deficit and a medical timeout to force a decider against the Australian world No.99 in their second-round clash in Toronto on Wednesday. But Norrie, who received a first-round bye, was unable to complete the comeback as his US Open preparations were dealt a blow by a 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 defeat in just over two hours. Vukic wrapped up the first set in 33 minutes after Norrie, the world No.39, had saved four break points but still dropped his opening service game. That proved to be the only break of serve across the opening two sets, with Wimbledon quarter-finalist Norrie ultimately levelling courtesy of a tie-break after requiring on-court treatment while leading 6-5 in the second set. Vukic survived two break points in game five of the final set, a pivotal moment compounded by Norrie immediately failing to hold. Vukic was one game from victory when a rain delay prolonged the match before returning to finish the job and set up a last-32 meeting with either American seventh seed Frances Tiafoe or Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki. Australian interest continues in Toronto with Alex de Minaur due to take on Argentina's Francisco Comesana and Christopher O'Connell facing Stefanos Tsitsipas, of Greece, later in the evening.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Sheehan says Lions are hungry for Australia whitewash
Dan Sheehan has claimed the British and Irish Lions have all the motivation they need to whitewash Australia while delivering their finest performance on tour. Now that the celebrations for securing an unassailable 2-0 series lead have subsided, the Lions have hardened their resolve to sign off their Southern Hemisphere expedition with a 100 per cent record. If they triumph at Sydney's Accor Stadium on Saturday, they will become the first Lions side in almost a century to win every Test. A dramatic 29-26 victory in Melbourne has placed Andy Farrell's men on the brink of greatness, but Sheehan admits the review of the second Test was "not pretty watching for a lot of it". "It would be disappointing if we didn't show up on Saturday," the Ireland hooker said. "It would be different if the series was in the balance, but we've always been pretty clear on our goals - to go unbeaten overseas and win the series 3-0. So we just need to stick to what we said. "There are a lot of people who have put a lot of effort into travelling out for this game and a lot of our families will be here as well, so there's plenty of motivation. And I can only imagine what the Australians are feeling now as well. "We are searching for an 80-minute performance this weekend. The people and the talent we have are crazy. We just need to get them all working. "There's also an individual onus on how you show up to a game - myself included because there are a few moments in the second Test when you're wondering what you were doing. We can be a lot better, definitely in that first half. "But that's part of rugby. It's such an imperfect game that you've got to get over those moments pretty quick. And you get another chance on Saturday, hopefully." Farrell names his team on Thursday and must decide to what extent fresh legs are needed following two bruising Tests against the Wallabies, but the indications from the management are that the strongest possible XV will be fielded. That rules out rotation for anything other than those players who are running on empty, which could include flankers Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne after their lung-busting shifts in Brisbane and Melbourne. Second rower Joe McCarthy, centre Sione Tuipulotu and winger Mack Hansen all come into contention after recovering the injuries that forced them to miss the second Test. If he has fully proved his fitness by Thursday, Hansen has an especially strong chance of being involved given wingers James Lowe and Tommy Freeman have yet to impress in the series. Blair Kinghorn is also an option to start. Sheehan's excellent form will see him continue at hooker and the 26-year-old will continue to find novel ways to unlock defences after his 'superman' try from close range during the second Test. "I took the first free-kick and got absolutely melted trying to go low. Then for the second one I just thought 'if I have a dive here...'," he said. "I didn't know if they had anyone in the back. It was just a throw and hope and I slipped through. I can see all the controversy about it, but I did know that you can dive in the air if you score."
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Piastri back where his grand prix winning habit started
Oscar Piastri has got used to winning since his maiden success in Hungary last year. He now returns to the scene of those happy moments as Formula One leader, seeking to take a tidy advantage over McLaren teammate Lando Norris into the August break. The 24-year-old has won six of 13 grands prix so far this season, already more than any Australian driver has ever managed in a single year, and leads his British rival by 16 points with 11 races remaining. "I'm really excited to go back. It's always a fun weekend. It's a great city, a cool track as well," said Piastri after winning a rain-delayed race in Belgium last Sunday in McLaren's sixth one-two of the season. It ended a resurgent run by Norris, who had closed the gap at the top by winning the previous two races. "I'm sure it will be nice to go back to where I had my first win. But as soon as we get on track, you forget about that immediately." Hungary, hot and twisty and with a layout more like an overgrown go-kart track that makes overtaking tricky, puts a premium on qualifying. Norris took pole last time in Hungary but lost out to Piastri at the start, recovered the lead when the Australian suffered a slower pitstop and was then ordered by the team to hand back the place. The Briton eventually complied but it rankled at the time and he will be looking to win on Sunday without any such controversy. With McLaren dominant, and historically the most successful team in Hungary, the stage is set for another duel between the teammates. Who chases them hardest remains an open question but this could be the moment Lewis Hamilton has been waiting for with Ferrari, while teammate Charles Leclerc has had five podiums already this season. Four-times world champion Max Verstappen, winner in Hungary in 2022 and 2023, will be starting his 200th race for Red Bull. The race is the 40th Hungarian Grand Prix and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, who took his first win at the circuit with Renault in 2003, has raced in more than half of them - this being his record 22nd.
