Liverpool will not bid for Alexander Isak again unless Newcastle change their stance on a sale, according to a report.
The transfer saga surrounding the Sweden international has taken another twist. Isak has gone AWOL and is currently keeping himself fit at former club Real Sociedad, while Newcastle are on a pre-season tour in Asia.
The 25-year-old is desperate to leave the club after having his head turned by Liverpool, and the Reds presented their first official offer earlier on Friday. However, Newcastle rejected the bid as they remain firm in their stance that he is not for sale.
The exact value of the bid has been the subject of debate, but it is believed that it clocked in at somewhere around £110 million plus a potential £10m in bonuses. Newcastle are reportedly demanding as much as £150m.
Despite the rejection, the consensus in the media has been that Liverpool would return with an improved offer as Isak continues to push for Newcastle to yield and sell him. However, it seems that this may not be the case after all.
Liverpool won’t bid again for Isak
At least that is according to Ben Jacobs, who claims that Liverpool will not bid again for Isak under the current conditions. The journalist states that the nature of Newcastle’s rebuttal has convinced director Richard Hughes that keeping negotiations alive is pointless.
Liverpool, it is asserted, will only re-engage with the Magpies if contacted by the club and told that a deal is now possible. Isak, meanwhile, continues to agitate for the move.
The ongoing reporting on the situation should be taken with a grain of salt, however. Liverpool’s refusal to bid again is likely a tactic to pressure Newcastle into lowering their demands, knowing full well that Isak has become completely unsettled and desperate to leave.
Meanwhile, Newcastle continue to insist that Isak is not for sale – or only available for £150m – because they need to sort a replacement first. Selling Isak without having a new striker already lined up would be a disastrous decision.
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