How Liverpool are set to respond to ‘belligerent’ Newcastle over not-for-sale Alexander Isak

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Liverpool supporters are anticipating an exciting few days in the transfer window after making their interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak official.

The Reds have long seen Isak as their ideal addition at centre-forward, and have finally taken steps towards making a move happen.

But Newcastle are not going to make it easy for Liverpool to swoop in and snatch their best player.

Reports have suggested that Liverpool are prepared to offer £120m for Isak, but much will depend on the Magpies’ stance on the Swede.

Unsurprisingly, the Reds have been met with resistance. As far as Newcastle are concerned, Isak is not for sale.

Following that not-so-surprising revelation, journalist David Ornstein has outlined where he expects the saga to go next.

Long way to go in Alexander Isak saga

Liverpool will possibly have been expecting Newcastle’s response to their interest in Isak. But according to Ornstein, the Reds will not have made an approach without encouragement from somewhere.

“It’s going to take some time to unravel, especially when you’ve got a club as belligerent as Newcastle, who have always been clear that Alexander Isak will not be sold this summer” the reporter told The Athletic FC Podcast.

“We’re not aware of Isak kicking off and demanding to leave, and so they will try to keep him, but that does not stop clubs trying and you sense that Liverpool would only make an approach like this if there was some level of encouragement, wherever that may be from. I don’t think they would just randomly go for it. And they have indeed made that approach.”

Continuing, Ornstein says that despite Newcastle appearing unwavering in their stance, and the unlikeliness that Isak will force a move, Liverpool are not going to drop their interest either.

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“In terms of where it goes next, I think a little bit of time is required,” he says.

“Will Newcastle’s stance shift? We have seen no sign of it so far. Will Isak agitate to leave? We have seen no sign of it so far.

“But there is quite a lot of distance to go before that transfer window shuts, and we have got no indication that Liverpool are just going to drop their interest for example. So, it’s ongoing and it’s going to keep us talking.”

Will Liverpool get their man?

Since Liverpool’s formal interest in Isak first appeared on Tuesday, it has been clear that if this move is going to happen, the player himself is going to have to have a hand in it.

Newcastle obviously do not want to lose their top scorer, and have seemingly made Liverpool aware of that fact.

However, as Ornstein points out, the Reds have been given encouragement from somewhere, which would suggest Isak is open to the move.

If Newcastle’s stance is to soften, it will therefore need the 25-year-old to tell his employers to let him leave. Should he be unwilling to do that, it is difficult to see how a transfer can happen.

For now, it would appear more likely that Newcastle will keep Isak and Liverpool will pivot towards Hugo Ekitike. But there are clearly still some cards left to be played before that happens.