Newcastle United have reportedly rejected Liverpool’s opening offer for Swedish striker Alexander Isak, amid mounting speculation over the 25-year-old’s future at St James’ Park.
Isak has been training at his former club, Real Sociedad, sparking further talk of a potential exit.
According to sources, the forward recently informed Newcastle of his desire to leave, prompting Liverpool to make a formal approach believed to be worth £110 million ($159 million) with additional add-ons.
However, the Magpies, who are understood to have placed a £150 million price tag on their star forward, were quick to turn down the bid.
Newcastle remain firm in their stance and are eager to keep hold of Isak, who was pivotal last season, netting 23 Premier League goals to guide the club back into the Champions League.
Although Isak still has three years remaining on his current deal, he did not travel with Eddie Howe’s squad for their pre-season tour of Asia, with the club attributing his absence to a minor thigh injury.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad confirmed that the striker has been using their Zubieta training facilities this week alongside personal trainers.
Reports on Friday suggested Newcastle offered Isak a new contract featuring a release clause for next summer, but the striker is said to have turned it down, reiterating his intention to move this summer.
At Anfield, new manager Arne Slot has already reinforced his attacking ranks with the arrivals of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
Yet, the Merseyside club remains eager to add more firepower as they aim to defend their Premier League crown and achieve back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1980s.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe addressed the speculation earlier this week, making it clear that Isak remains very much under club control.
“He is still our player. He’s contracted to us,” Howe said. “We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control.”
Liverpool’s summer spree has already exceeded £250 million, with new additions including Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, alongside Wirtz and Ekitike.
However, the pursuit of Isak signals the Reds’ intent to build an even more formidable frontline as the new season approaches.
