Liverpool handed huge boost in pursuit for Alexander Isak as Newcastle 'close in on deal' for new striker

Liverpool have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of Alexander Isak as Newcastle United are preparing to sign a new striker.

With just days left in the summer transfer window, links between Premier League champions Liverpool and Newcastle United star Isak are not dying down.

The Sweden international striker has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield throughout the summer, with Isak going so far as to go on strike to try and force the move to happen.

However, in order for Newcastle to allow their top player to leave, they have regularly stated that they would need to sign at least one replacement striker this summer.

Several names have been lined with a move to St James' Park in recent weeks, but it now appears that Newcastle may have finally found their man as reports claim they are closing in on a deal for the highly-rated forward.

Alexander Isak has yet to feature for Newcastle United this season. (Image: Getty)

Throughout the summer, Newcastle has tried to sign several strikers from within the Premier League, including the likes of Brentford's Yoane Wissa and Wolves' star Jorgen Strand Larsen.

But, according to a report from The Daily Mail's Craig Hope, they are not prioritising a move from outside England, as they are now closing in on a deal for Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade.

The 23-year-old striker was previously strongly linked with a move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich earlier this summer after scoring 17 goals in 33 appearances last season.

Within Newcastle, it is viewed that completing the signing of Woltemade would be a major coup.

However, it remains unclear if Woltemade would be seen as a replacement for Isak, providing a boost for Liverpool's hopes of signing the striker, or for Callum Wilson, who left Newcastle as a free agent at the beginning of the summer.

Nick Woltemade could join Newcastle United in the final week of the window. (Image: Ronny Hartmann/Getty Images)

The news comes after Newcastle had two offers for Strand Larsen rejected this week, with the most recent reported to be for £55million.

Wolves have made it clear that they do not want to sell the Norwegian international, despite Newcastle receiving encouragement both from the player’s camp and his agent Jorge Mendes.

Some reports have claimed that the Magpies will return with a third and final bid of £60m before the window closes next week, but it remains to be seen if Woltemade's arrival could change this.