Liverpool remains coupled to a blockbuster transfer for Alexander Isak, but Newcastle remains non -free that they will not sell their star stiker this summer
The hope of Alexander Isak to add to Liverpool this summer seems to fade quickly with the Premier League champions who are not willing to pursue players they consider inaccessible.
The Reds have already rejected an offer of nine digits for Isak this summer. And with Newcastle Adamant they will not sell the 25-year-old striker, Isak probably seems to be a Magpies player when the transfer window is closed on 1 September.
It emerged on Saturday morning that the Sweden International reacted 'furiously' after he has been informed that he will not be sold this summer.
And although the report adds that Isak will not appear before Newcastle until he accepts that the board will not sell him in this transfer window, Liverpool's recruitment policy means that a breakthrough is unlikely.
Before the weekend it was sketched by the I Paper that the requirements of the champions for a transfer target are 'realistic' and that every deal would represent 'fair market value'.
As it looks now, none of those requirements would be met with Isak, given Newcastle value their star striker of more than £ 150 million and not wanting to sell.
Liverpool is expected to focus on a new No. 9 after a deal to agree to sell Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal. They have already signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, although the Frenchman is also able to play in a broad attacking role.
Ekitike was a target for Newcastle before the Reds came in and they continue to pursue themselves. Yoane Wissa from Brentford is such a target.
Isak was not visible in the newest pre-season facilities from Newcastle and is now being commissioned to train alone after he had not affiliated his teammates to their recent tours by Asia.
Eddie Howe said after the 2-2 draw with Espanyol on Friday night in St James' Park about the situation: “We have had discussions and it is clear when we cannot involve him in the group. I don't know how long that will be, but that is the newest.
“I wish Alex plays today, I wish he will train tomorrow. We would love to be the player with us. Let me make that absolutely clear. There is no part of me that that result does not want, but I don't see the current situation changing for Aston Villa [Newcastle’s season opener]. “