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Topics: Alexander Isak, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Transfers, Football, Eddie Howe
Ryan Smart
Topics: Alexander Isak, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Transfers, Football, Eddie Howe
Liverpool's pursuit of Newcastle star Alexander Isak has taken a surprise twist, a new report has claimed.
The Reds saw a bid of £110 million for the 25-year-old striker rejected by the Magpies on Friday.
There have been differing reports over whether Liverpool will come back in for the Sweden international, with the Daily Mail's Craig Hope claiming that Newcastle are still anticipating a second bid.
In the meantime, Newcastle have launched a bid, believed to be worth for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
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The Magpies returned from their pre-season tour of Asia on Monday, with Isak having been training alone in Spain.
The Swede has been spotted arriving at the club's training ground as preparations for the new Premier League season continue.
As per Sky Sports' Pete Graves, he will be the only player present at the facility as his team-mates have been given the day off.
But it remains to be seen as to how long he will remain a Newcastle player.
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A fresh development in the saga has now taken place, with Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez attracting interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal as per The Athletic's David Ornstein.
Al Hilal are 75 per cent owned by Saudi's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has an 85 per cent share in Newcastle.
And it is said that they have identified Nunez are their 'priority target'.
Magpies fans have been left furious at the news, as PIF would effectively be paying Liverpool to sign Nunez, with the Reds then able to use the proceeds to fund a fresh bid for Isak.
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One wrote: "We're being had... PIF lining Liverpool pockets for Nunez then Newcastle get top dollar for Isak."
A second added: "Basically funding Liverpool to buy our striker and overpaying. The optics of that look really bad if we don't manage to sign Sesko or similar to replace Isak."
And a third stated: "Newcastle fans have a right to know why PIF continue to fund our rivals. Particularly in this case when the money will be used to buy Isak."
Speaking to the Daily Mail on Sunday, Magpies boss Eddie Howe gave a defiant response when asked about Isak's potential return to training.
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"You have to earn the right to train with us," he stated. "We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad. You have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.
"We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.
"Of course I'd like him to be [in training], but whether he will I don't know at this moment in time."