Newcastle insist Alexander Isak not for sale amid Liverpool interest in star man
A report on Tuesday suggested the Reds are prepared to pay £120million for the 25-year-old Sweden international, who has been a huge hit at St James' Park since his £63million arrival from Real Sociedad during the summer of 2022.
Advertisement
The PA news agency understands there has been no formal contact between the two clubs over a player who is the subject of long-standing interest from Anfield.
However, sources on Merseyside have indicated Isak is among a series of options being considered this summer as the Reds look to bolster their attacking options in the wake of the death of Diogo Jota and the possible departures of Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa.
The frontman, who is currently at a pre-season training camp in Austria with his team-mates, still has three years remaining on his contract on Tyneside and the Magpies, who are trying to tie him to a new deal, remain adamant he is going nowhere.
Advertisement
It is understood they have put a value on him of around £150million in an attempt to ward off potential suitors.
Indeed, sources in the north east have insisted the club's ongoing pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, who has also been linked with Liverpool, is no indication they are seeking a replacement for the Swede, but rather a new team-mate.
Newcastle's majority owners, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, have the financial clout to resist any approach should they remain steadfast in their determination to hang on to a player who is understood not to be agitating for a move.
But in the age of profit and sustainability rules – head coach Eddie Howe was forced to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh last summer to avoid a points deduction – a formal bid which would all but double their money inside three years might at least cause them to pause for thought.
Neither club has commented on the situation, which will prompt frenzied speculation on the banks of both the Mersey and the Tyne.
Advertisement
Isak, who has also been repeatedly linked with Arsenal, has been one of the flag-bearers for Newcastle's return to prominence under their new owners.
His goals last season helped to fire the club into the Champions League for the second time in three years, and it was his strike at Wembley in March that effectively secured a 2-1 Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool which ended the Magpies' 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have told Bayern Munich Luis Diaz is not for sale after rejecting a £59million bid.
PA understands the Bundesliga champions' offer of 67.5million euros (£58.6m) was immediately dismissed, in keeping with the club's stance which saw them rebuff an approach from Barcelona earlier in the summer.
Advertisement
Diaz is in the last two years of his contract and, while talks have not progressed over a new deal, privately Liverpool insist he remains an important player and interested clubs are being told that.
There is also a long-standing interest from the Saudi Pro League in the 28-year-old Colombia international.
Liverpool have rejected a £59million bid from Bayern Munich for Luis Diaz (Mike Egerton/PA)
Al-Hilal's failed 100m euros (£87m) bid for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, who is two years older, is viewed by some as a benchmark valuation for an elite attacker in the domestic and global market, but regardless there remains no appetite to sell.
Only a few weeks ago Diaz hinted at uncertainty over his future by claiming his representatives were openly discussing his options.
Advertisement
'We are currently in contact with Liverpool, because we are talking to clubs, and that's normal given the transfer market that's opening,' he said last month.
'We're trying to arrange what's best for us.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Olivia Smith is the latest big money move in women's soccer as transfer fees rise rapidly
Olivia Smith has set a new benchmark in women's soccer with her move from Liverpool to Arsenal for a reported 1 million pounds ($1.34 million). That makes the 20-year-old Canada forward the most expensive player in the history of the women's game and her move is the just the latest record-breaking deal in recent times. United States defender Naomi Girma became women's soccer's first million-dollar player when she completed her move from San Diego Wave to Chelsea in January for a reported 900,000 pounds ($1.1 million). Here's a look at how the record transfer fee (in USD) in the women's game has increased: ___ 2002: Milene Domingues The Brazilian midfielder moved from Fiammamonza in Italy to Rayo Vallecano in Spain for $310,000. 2020: Pernille Harder The Denmark forward left Wolfsburg to join Chelsea in England for $355,000. 2022: Keira Walsh The England midfielder moved from Manchester City to Barcelona for $513,000. 2024: Mayra Ramirez The Colombia forward left Levante in Spain to join Chelsea in a deal worth $542,000. 2024: Racheal Kundananji The Zambia striker moved from Madrid CFF in Spain to Bay FC in the United States for $788,000. 2025: Naomi Girma The U.S. international became the first $1 million female player with her move to Chelsea. 2025: Olivia Smith It didn't take long for the record to be broken again — this time by the Canada forward, who is the first 1 million pound ($1.34 million) player. ___ ___
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Olivia Smith is the latest big money move in women's soccer as transfer fees rise rapidly
Olivia Smith has set a new benchmark in women's soccer with her move from Liverpool to Arsenal for a reported 1 million pounds ($1.34 million). That makes the 20-year-old Canada forward the most expensive player in the history of the women's game and her move is the just the latest record-breaking deal in recent times. United States defender Naomi Girma became women's soccer's first million-dollar player when she completed her move from San Diego Wave to Chelsea in January for a reported 900,000 pounds ($1.1 million). And records have tumbled regularly as the profile of the women's game continues to rise. Here's a look at how the record transfer fee (in USD) in the women's game has increased: ___ 2002: Milene Domingues The Brazilian midfielder moved from Fiammamonza in Italy to Rayo Vallecano in Spain for $310,000. 2020: Pernille Harder The Denmark forward left Wolfsburg to join Chelsea in England for $355,000. 2022: Keira Walsh The England midfielder moved from Manchester City to Barcelona for $513,000. 2024: Mayra Ramirez The Colombia forward left Levante in Spain to join Chelsea in a deal worth $542,000. 2024: Racheal Kundananji The Zambia striker moved from Madrid CFF in Spain to Bay FC in the United States for $788,000. 2025: Naomi Girma The U.S. international became the first $1 million female player with her move to Chelsea. 2025: Olivia Smith It didn't take long for the record to be broken again — this time by the Canada forward, who is the first 1 million pound ($1.34 million) player. ___ James Robson is at ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Borussia Dortmund pose transfer threat for Manchester City in midfielder chase
Manchester City are facing a fresh threat over their pursuit of Norwegian midfield talent Sverre Nypan, according to reports from Germany. Even with an agreement reportedly in place, competition is never far away, and Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund are now said to be testing Manchester City's resolve in one of their priority youth targets. City have long made it an important task to snap up elite youth prospects early in their development cycle, a strategy that has brought in top names from South America in particular during recent windows. The idea from within the Etihad Stadium is clear: acquire early, develop internally or via loan moves elsewhere in Europe, and avoid the inflated price tags that follow a breakout campaign in one of Europe's top-five leagues. That model appears to be in motion once again in their pursuit of Sverre Nypan — an 18-year-old sensation from Norway who has been on Manchester City's radar since the most-recent winter market. The teenage midfielder, who is already a regular for Rosenborg in Norway's top-flight, is highly regarded for his technical prowess, composure, and vision — traits that make him an ideal candidate for Manchester City's developmental pipeline. But according to the information of German newspaper Bild, as translated and relayed by Get German Football News, City are now facing competition from Borussia Dortmund for the in-demand midfielder. It is claimed that the Bundesliga giants have been actively pursuing the 18-year-old's signature for 'a number of months', and while a move for the player is expected this summer, it remains to be seen who will ultimately come out on top in the race for his signature. In early June, David Ornstein of The Athletic reported that City had reached an agreement with Rosenborg for a transfer fee of £12.5 million, with no sell-on clause or additional contingencies attached — a sign of the Premier League side's determination to move swiftly. Contract terms have also reportedly been offered to the midfielder, with a deal running until 2030 on the table. But with Borussia Dortmund still lurking — and their reputation for developing young players well established — the door may not be entirely closed. Meanwhile, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano offered a deeper insight into City's strategy for the youngster. 'This is a massive one,' Romano stated last month. 'Let's say Manchester City believe this could be the European Franco Mastantuono, in the sense of a top talent available at a good price… Nypan is going to Manchester City. He will go on loan immediately.' Interestingly, while Girona have been the obvious City Football Group destination for recent loanees at City, Romano claimed the Norwegian playmaker is unlikely to join the La Liga outfit — leaving questions over where his development will be staged next season. Looking ahead, City now face a delicate balance. While they appear to have wrapped up the logistics of the transfer, the ongoing interest from Borussia Dortmund may still influence the player's final decision. Nypan and his representatives could yet be swayed by the Bundesliga's track record of integrating young talent into senior teams more quickly than Manchester City — especially if a clearer first-team pathway is on offer. With pre-season set to get underway later this month and City already involved in negotiations for multiple outgoings, the Nypan deal could still produce late twists. But if all goes to plan, fans may soon see another elite teenage name join the club's ranks.
