Liverpool stance on Alexander Isak second bid as details of offer rejected by Newcastle emerge

Isak

Liverpool are currently not intending to submit a second bid for Alexander Isak after seeing their first official offer rejected by Newcastle United.

The Reds made an initial bid of a flat £110m, only to be knocked back by the Magpies.

Liverpool currently consider it futile to return with an improved offer, given the swiftness and clarity of Newcastle’s rejection.

However, the Magpies now find themselves in a tricky situation after the striker had previously made it clear that he wanted to explore opportunities to leave the club.

Isak did not travel with Newcastle on their pre-season tour of the Far East, after sitting out their pre-season friendly at Celtic, with his absence put down to a minor injury.

But it later emerged that the 25-year-old had asked to leave the club, amid interest from Liverpool.

Newcastle had been adamant throughout the summer that the striker was not for sale, with an asking-price of £150m mooted as speculation linking him with the Reds continued.

That stance would have to change in order for Liverpool to come back to the table given their emphatic response to the club's initial offer..

Isak has been training with his former club Real Sociedad during Newcastle’s time in Asia.

With the Magpies returning to the United Kingdom after they face Tottenham Hotspur in Seoul on Sunday 3 August, they will conclude their pre-season schedule by facing La Liga outfits Espanyol and Atletico Madrid on Friday 8 August and Saturday 9 August.

Newcastle had expected Isak to be available to feature in either fixture.

All eyes will now be on St. James’ Park following Liverpool’s rejected bid, to see if Isak returns to action or instead digs his heels in and tries to force through an exit.

The Reds’ interest in Isak is long-standing, with the Swede previously on their radar ahead of his move to Newcastle in the summer of 2022 in the first.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe will inevitably be asked further questions about Isak’s future in South Korea when Newcastle face Spurs.

He previously insisted he had not given up hope of keeping the striker when speaking at a press conference earlier this week.

Howe

"He is still our player. He’s contracted to us,”

“We, to a degree, control what is next for him.

I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control.

“We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club. My wish is he stays and we see him playing again next year.”

Isak remains under contract at Newcastle until 2028. He had initially wished to sign a new contract at St. James’ Park, only for no offer to be forthcoming.

Growing frustrated as a result, he has since spurned the Magpies’ efforts to secure his future and made clear his desire to leave.

While Liverpool might not be planning a second bid following Newcastle’s rejection as things stand, they will continue to monitor his situation.