Newcastle have rejected a formal bid from Liverpool to sign Alexander Isak, with the Premier League champions’ offer way below their £150m valuation of the forward.
Liverpool’s first official offer for the Sweden international is believed to have been for less than the £120m suggested when Richard Hughes, sporting director at Anfield, made an informal enquiry a fortnight ago. Newcastle value their prized asset at a British transfer record £150m and remain reluctant to sell the 25-year-old.
Isak’s stance since Hughes’ enquiry, however, has encouraged Liverpool to step up their pursuit of the player. The club have spent almost £300m so far this summer, including a £79m deal to sign long-time Newcastle target Hugo Ekitiké. But with £190m recouped in sales since Hughes arrived in June 2024, plus healthy revenues from their title triumph and return to the Champions League, Liverpool are in a position to break their transfer record for a second time this summer after signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £100m in June.
Isak did not travel on Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia. Newcastle attributed his absence to a minor thigh injury, but the striker has also informed the club that he wishes to explore his options this summer and has been training at former club Real Sociedad this week. There has also been no progress on a new contract for Isak at Newcastle.
Isak, signed from Sociedad for £60m in 2022, still has three years remaining on his contract at St James’ Park. Newcastle have insisted he is not for sale but have been attempting to sign other top level strikers this summer, so far without success.
