Alexander Isak Asks to Skip Newcastle Preseason as Liverpool Signal £120M Transfer Interest
Synopsis
Alexander Isak could be heading for a major Premier League switch after skipping Newcastle’s preseason tour.
Alexander Isak has informed Newcastle United he does not wish to travel for the club’s preseason tour, amid strong interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool. While Liverpool have not tabled a formal offer yet, they have made it clear they are prepared to negotiate a deal worth around £120 million for the Swedish striker.
The 25-year-old has become a top target for Liverpool as they seek a central striker to lead their attack following Diogo Jota’s tragic death earlier this month. Newcastle have so far maintained a firm stance, Isak is not for sale.
Yet his request to skip the tour signals that discussions behind the scenes may have already shifted. Liverpool’s admiration for Isak is longstanding, and their recent club-record deal for Florian Wirtz shows their ambition has not wavered.
Isak is coming off his most prolific season in England, having scored 27 goals in 42 appearances. Since joining Newcastle from Real Sociedad in a £60 million deal, he has found the net 62 times in just 109 games.
With three years still left on his contract, Newcastle hold strong negotiating power. But player intent, especially in moments like skipping preseason, often speaks louder than club intent.
Behind the scenes, Newcastle are already planning for a potential replacement. Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt is among the players they are considering. Although no agreement has been reached with either Frankfurt or the player, talks are ongoing. Liverpool have also kept Ekitike on their long-term radar, but they have not yet contacted the German club.
Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez is being monitored by both Napoli and Saudi side Al Hilal, and Liverpool are expected to revisit the possibility of moving him on if they can bring in a higher-quality No. 9 like Isak.
Luis Diaz has also made his intentions clear. He wants to leave Liverpool, and a €67.5 million offer from Bayern Munich has already been rejected. All signs point to an aggressive reshuffling at Anfield, with the Isak pursuit standing as one of the club’s strongest moves yet.
For Newcastle, the challenge lies in holding on to their top scorer without unsettling the balance of their squad. For Liverpool, it’s about capitalizing on their recent success and building a forward line that can sustain it.