Newcastle United braced for £130m bid for Alexander Isak from Liverpool
The Times understands that the agent of Isak met Eddie Howe, the Newcastle head coach, at the club's training ground this month.
Newcastle had been eager to discuss a new deal to make the Sweden striker the best paid player in the club's history.
Since that meeting Newcastle have embarked on their own move to sign the Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike for what would be a club record fee. They have so far failed to match the £87million asking price for the 22-year-old, who they have twice failed to sign, having opened their bidding for the player at £70million.
Senior sources at Newcastle were keen to stress on Tuesday afternoon that they have not received any official bid from Liverpool for Isak and do not want to sell the player. However, it is now thought interest in the 25-year-old has been communicated between the two clubs.
Isak is training with Newcastle in their Austrian pre-season camp. The club's official X account perhaps pointedly used a picture of Isak out on the grass this morning, with speculation about his future mounting.
Isak refused to be drawn on his future during the season when asked what would happen next. He has three years remaining on his £120,000-a-week deal. His agent ended talks of an extension last season and Newcastle were ready to make him the best paid player in the club's history.
However, the Times reported this year that Isak wanted to play for a competitive Champions League team. He has scored only once in the competition. Newcastle hoped their qualification for the Champions League would help in their bid to keep him.
Liverpool had previously played down any interest in the player, which was reported in The Times in June, but always with the caveat that there may be interest if they were given encouragement a player as good as Isak was available.
Liverpool have a long-standing interest in Ekitike themselves. If they cannot agree a deal for Isak, it is thought they could yet return for the French striker.
Newcastle have already spent £55million on the Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga and are locked in negotiation with Burnley for the goalkeeper James Trafford.
Isak, who moved to Newcastle three years ago for £62million from Real Sociedad, scored 27 goals last season, including Newcastle's second in their 2-1 Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.
The Anfield club have already spent £100million on the attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayern Munich and on Tuesday rejected a £59million offer form Bayern Munich for Luis Díaz. Darwin Núñez is likely to leave the club this summer.
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