The true feeling within the Newcastle United dressing room on Alexander Isak's proposed move away from the club has been revealed.
Isak has informed Newcastle that he wants to explore his options this summer amid reports linking him with a stunning move to Liverpool.
That's despite the Reds signing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth £79 million.
The Swedish international is still on Liverpool's radar as Newcastle have demanded a British record fee.
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Journalist Craig Hope has shed new light on the Isak transfer saga, revealing his teammates' feelings.
Hope believes if Liverpool meet Newcastle's demands, then he reckons a transfer will happen.
He also claims some of Isak's teammates suspect that, too.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Hope said: "If Liverpool are to make a deal happen this summer, they're going to have to pay the money. They really are. Just because Isak wants to go... there's no cheap deal to be done. They have got to come up with that British record and then some. It's got to be in the region of £150 million."
He added: "If that happens, do I think we'd see a deal and Isak would move? Yes I do. And I know now that some of his teammates internally suspect that, too."
What has Alexander Isak's Newcastle teammates said about his transfer saga?
Isak, who scored 27 goals across all competitions last season, has not travelled to Singapore for Newcastle's pre-season tour.
The Newcastle team have arrived in Asia ahead of facing Arsenal on Sunday.
Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn fielded questions from the media and, naturally, were asked about their esteemed club colleague.
"I’m really close to him," said Guimaraes. "He’s a good guy. He’s been through some rough things at this moment. My focus is with the lads.
"Isak is something I cannot control. The club has control of it. I hope he’s going to be fit when we come back to Newcastle to prepare for the new season.
"They told us he was there in Newcastle because of his injury. Of course he’s a top player for us and he’s going to be a miss on this trip. We need him ready as soon as possible.
"We are still in the market and looking for new options. But we’ve had success before and we can have success again. I’m more focused on the players we have here. My job for the club is to try to keep the lads motivated."
Burn added: "I think if we lost any player it would upset us. We’re a tight knit group that’s been together for two, three years now so, yeah, any player that leaves it doesn’t help.
"But, from out point of view we’ll control what we can control. At the moment we’re looking forward to getting Alex [Isak] back when he’s fit."
Topics: Alexander Isak, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Football
Nasir Jabbar