Liverpool’s £110 million bid for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak was firmly turned down by the Magpies on Friday, sparking fresh talk of a summer tussle for the Sweden international. The bid fell well short of Newcastle’s reported valuation of about £150 million, and Liverpool appear unlikely to return with an improved offer at this stage.
The offer, believed to include £110 million guaranteed plus performance-related add-ons, was submitted after weeks of speculation. Newcastle quickly rejected it, insisting they value Isak closer to £150 million and are in no hurry to sell their leading scorer. Liverpool sources have told ESPN that the nature of Newcastle’s refusal makes any second bid “futile” unless the Magpies change their stance.
Isak, 25, has not trained with the first-team during Newcastle’s pre-season tour and has been working alone in Spain. He withdrew from the squad’s Asian tour citing a minor thigh issue, although his separation from team activities is widely seen as a sign of his desire to force a move to Anfield. The striker also declined to extend his contract, which runs until 2028, underscoring the growing divide between player and club
The Times.
Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, faces a decision: pursue other striking options or seek to reopen talks if Newcastle lines up a replacement. Having already spent heavily this summer, including a record deal for Florian Wirtz, the club is wary of over-stretching its budget. Sources say Liverpool will focus on consolidating their squad unless Newcastle indicates a willingness to negotiate again.
Fan reaction at St James’ Park has been mixed. A small group unfurled a banner branding Isak a “rat” for his public stance, while teammate Anthony Gordon—who himself nearly joined Liverpool last year—expressed sympathy, noting how tough such transfer battles can be for players. The situation remains tense as the transfer window edges towards its close.
With the market still open for another month, Newcastle may change course if they secure a suitable forward replacement. Linked targets include RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. Until any deal materializes, Isak looks set to stay at Newcastle United, keeping alive one of the summer’s most captivating transfer sagas
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