Alexander Isak 'takes drastic action' to force Liverpool transfer as Newcastle weigh up record offer

Alexander Isak has 'taken drastic action' to force his Liverpool transfer as Newcastle weigh up a record offer for the striker.

The Newcastle striker was left out of the squad for the club's pre-season tour last week, before it emerged that Isak had asked to leave St James' Park.

Premier League champions Liverpool have been the most strongly linked with a move for the striker, but Al-Hilal have also been mentioned.

But it will take a huge offer for Newcastle to sell their star player, with some estimates suggesting the Magpies would want £150m.

According to talkSPORT, Isak has not returned to the training ground since he asked to leave last week.

Instead, he is following a training programme at home, while Newcastle debate his future.

The same report claims Isak would demand £300,000-a-week to commit to a new contract at Newcastle.

Newcastle's Alexander Isak. Image: Stu Forster / Staff via Getty

According to talkSPORT, Isak has not returned to the training ground since he asked to leave last week.

Instead, he is following a training programme at home, while Newcastle debate his future.

The same report claims Isak would demand £300,000-a-week to commit to a new contract at Newcastle.

Will Alexander Isak leave Newcastle?

It is difficult to tell at this stage, but a departure is a clear possibility.

Newcastle do not have the same PSR concerns as last summer, when they were forced into selling both Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh.

However, a £150m sale would likely eliminate any such worries for the next three-year cycle.

It would also give them the funds to reinvest, but as this summer has shown that does not necessarily help.

Dean Huijsen, Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro, Huge Ekitike and James Trafford have all rejected moves to Tyneside this summer.

There may be lessons to learn from how Tottenham Hotspur reinvested the £85m they received for Gareth Bale back in 2013.

They signed seven players and only Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela were long-term successes in North London.

Newcastle's Alexander Isak. Image: George Wood / Stringer via Getty

Do Liverpool need Alexander Isak?

It is hard to argue that the Premier League champions, having already spent nearly £300m need Isak, but he would be a great addition.

The Swede is a dynamic Premier League striker entering the prime years of his career.

He scored 27 goals last season, as he finished second in the Golden Boot race behind Liverpool's own Mo Salah.

The main concern with Isak has been a troublesome injury record, with the club citing a thigh injury as his reason for not travelling on the club's pre-season tour.

Last season, Eddie Howe admitted on a couple of occasions that they had to protect him due to ongoing groin problems.

As an explosive striker at six foot three, muscle injuries are almost inevitable, so his minutes will need to be managed carefully.