Newcastle have turned down Liverpool's initial offer for unsettled Sweden striker Alexander Isak, reports said on Friday. Isak has been training at his former club Real Sociedad this week after reportedly informing Newcastle he wants to leave St James' Park.
The 25-year-old has been interesting Liverpool since the close of last season and the Premier League champions are now said to have made it official with an offer of approximately £110 million ($159 million) plus add-ons. But Newcastle, who set an estimated valuation on Isak at £150 million, are determined not to lose their golden boy and have rejected Liverpool's opening offer.
Isak, signed by Newcastle in a £60 million transfer from Real Sociedad in 2022, netted 23 Premier League goals in the previous season to aid Newcastle's Champions League qualification.
He has three years remaining on his Newcastle deal, but failed to make the journey to Asia for the Magpies' current pre-season trip, the club revealing he had suffered a minor thigh problem.
Real Sociedad confirmed on Thursday that he was at their Zubieta complex with his own coaches.
On Friday, Newcastle informed Isak that they would let him sign a new contract with a get-out clause for next season, but he replied by saying he wishes to transfer immediately.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has already strengthened his attack by recruiting Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz in the ongoing transfer window.
However, the Reds are eager to make their frontline even more potent with the recruitment of Isak as they aspire to win consecutive English titles for the first time since the 1980s.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe struck a defiant note earlier this week when he said: "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."
Liverpool have spent over £250 million so far in the summer window, with Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili joining Wirtz and Ekitike at Anfield.
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