Liverpool is thought to be among the clubs that admire the Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. And why wouldn’t it? The Sweden ace has scored 27 goals so far this season, establishing himself as one of the top forwards on the planet.
Heading into the summer, with Arne Slot in need of a number nine to upgrade on Darwin Nunez, there has been a suggestion that Liverpool could move for Isak. But that has always looked difficult.
Now, Eddie Howe has been asked about the situation again, with the Newcastle boss defiant once again about keeping his star man. The message is clear: he isn’t going anywhere.
“Alex has got three years left on his deal,” Howe told Chronicle Live. “Of course, all contract situations are discussed and are talked about.
“But they are more delicately poised than people would naturally think from the outside. There is never one straight answer.
“Alex is under contract, we love him to bits, and we want him to stay and keep enjoying his football like he has done. We want him to keep scoring goals for Newcastle for many years. That’s my plan.”
Earlier in the year, Newcastle CEO Darren Eales said it would be “crazy” if Newcastle sold Isak. And this year, the Magpies are under less pressure PSR-wise than last summer, when they were scrambling to meet the required level of compliance.
(Image: Getty Images)
At that time, Liverpool attempted to sign Anthony Gordon in a deal that would have seen Joe Gomez go the other way. In the end, though, Newcastle managed to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh instead.
Newcastle, it is thought, has refused to put a price tag on his head because it doesn’t want to countenance letting him leave. And in March, Isak offered his own take on what might happen this summer.
“About my future, it’s nothing really I think about. I’ve said many times during a season – just focus on the job – and now is probably the worst time to think about anything else,” he said.
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“I’ve said I’m not really thinking about the summer, but yes, that’ll probably be a talking point once the season is finished. We will really see because no talks have been held yet.”
Liverpool.com says: Isak would be a great signing for any team because he is exceptional, but also young enough to get even better. In reality, though, Newcastle is desperate not to lose him.
Liverpool has money to spend, hence why it is a contender to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, but it might have to look at alternatives to Isak in attack. That could even be Wirtz, who can play as a false nine.
