Isak saga drags on as Liverpool chase marquee striker signature

Will he? Won’t he?

Liverpool’s attempt to sign star striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle – in a second blockbuster deal of the transfer window for the league champions – has become the trending transfer saga.

By all accounts, the lethal Swedish finisher has informed the Tyneside giants that he wants out, after refusing to extend his contract, with Merseyside his preferred destination. He missed out on their recent pre-season tour of South Korea, prompting fears among Newcastle fans that they had seen the last of the lanky striker in the iconic black-and-white kit.

It is clear his head has been turned by the attentions of the Reds, who have embarked on a massive spending spree expected to top €500m by the close of the window.

Yet Liverpool’s recent £110m offer for their talisman, plus add-ons, was rejected flat out by the Magpies.

Domino effect

It is no wonder. The sale of striker Callum Wilson has left the Magpies with little in the way of forward stocks for a team returning to the Champions League.

It would be almost criminal to get rid of their top goalscorer from last season – who finished second only to Mo Salah on the Premier League sharpshooters’ chart – without bringing in a striker or two of similar ilk.

That would explain the importance of Newcastle’s move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, though they are not alone in their admiration for the coveted goal poacher. They were also in the running to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, but the Reds pipped them to that signing.

Sesko is also said to be the prime striker target for Manchester United, following their recent capture of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Despite the allure of Champions League football – which the Red Devils cannot offer – there is still a strong chance that the striker could choose Rúben Amorim’s project over Eddie Howe’s.

Any Isak move seems to hinge heavily on that deal or a similar purchase that would go some way to replicating the output of one of the most feared finishers in European football.

Drastic measures

Isak, for his part, could have tried to force through a move by refusing to train with his teammates or play for the club again – à la Yoane Wissa.

Incidentally, the Brentford forward is trying to push through a move to Newcastle, and his petulant behaviour seems to be bearing fruit. The Bees are said to have softened their stance, having insisted the forward was not for sale when rejecting a Newcastle offer.

The stain from such an action does stick to a player, though. Isak has appeared to avoid that unwanted stench by agreeing to return to Newcastle from Spain – where he was training at former club Real Sociedad’s headquarters on his own – to train with his teammates.

With his heart still set on joining Arne Slot’s team, it is surely only a matter of time before he runs out in the red of the Anfield giants.

A case for the defence

Kopites may be crowing about the business they have done so far in the transfer window – marked by quality additions and astute sales that have helped balance the books.

The lack of central defensive cover for ageing skipper Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté is a worry, however. The injury-prone Joe Gomez surely cannot be the only decent back-up option for their tilt at a title defence.

With plenty of time left in the window, the potential capture of Isak is unlikely to be the last piece of business as Slot puts the finishing touches to what is already shaping up to be a fearsome team.