NEWCASTLE’S Saudi owners will refuse to sell Alexander Isak – even if he wants to talk to Liverpool.
The Magpies insist the £120million Sweden hitman is not for sale at any price after an approach from the Premier League champions for last season’s 27-goal top scorer.
ReutersNewcastle are refusing to sell Alexander Isak to Liverpool[/caption]
GettyArne Slot’s side made an approach for the Swede this week[/caption]
ReutersToon chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is backing Eddie Howe in his fight to keep Isak[/caption]
Isak’s camp are still upset over the lack of a new deal to keep him at St James’ Park which has given Liverpool hope they can lure him away.
Amid the stand-off, Arne Slot’s Reds have hijacked Newcastle’s swoop to bring in Hugo Ekitike from Frankfurt to partner him.
The Bundesliga club rejected a £70m bid from Newcastle on Tuesday but Liverpool are now in talks and believe a fee closer to £80m will help them land the French ace, who has already agreed a six-year contract deal.
Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is backing boss Eddie Howe by refusing to cash in for a British record fee.
Isak’s camp were left disappointed 12 months ago when a promise of a pay rise from his current £130,000-a-week made by the Magpies’ former co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi failed to happen.
Former sporting director Paul Mitchell put those negotiations on ice as he felt the ace was already handsomely paid in his deal until 2028.
Despite Mitchell’s departure, there has still been no progress and it remains unclear whether Isak is willing to commit his long-term future to the club.
Newcastle are willing to smash their pay ceiling and make him the best-paid player in their history with a package worth over £200,000 a week.
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Isak is currently in Austria with the rest of Newcastle’s squad at a pre-season training camp.
It remains to be seen if he plays in their friendly against Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday.
GettyLiverpool are now closing in on a move for Toon target Hugo Ekitike[/caption]
GettyNewcastle are ready to battle Spurs for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa instead[/caption]
Meanwhile, Howe is ready to battle it out with Tottenham and Nottingham Forest for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, 28.
The Bees want around £40m for the Congo striker, who only has a year left on his contract, and have already rejected a £25m offer from Nottingham Forest.
Sun Sport understands that a fee of around £30m could be enough for Toon to land the Brentford ace, who scored 19 goals last term.
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TYNE TO GO?
ALEXANDER ISAK is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Newcastle and Liverpool.
But what is the best option for the striker?
SunSport makes a case for both sides – whether he should lead the Toon into the Champions League or become Britain’s most-expensive player and join Arne Slot’s Reds.
Read our full debate.
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