Exclusive with Graeme Bailey.
Liverpool are yet to rule out making an official offer to Newcastle United for star striker Alexander Isak, Rousing The Kop can exclusively reveal.
The Reds approached Newcastle last week to make it known they are willing to pay around £120m in order to land Isak this summer.
The Magpies are insistent that Isak is not for sale, and remain determined to rebuff any further approaches from Liverpool.
However, RTK understands Isak’s contract negotiations are likely to play a key role in whether Liverpool take their interest further.
As things stand, the 25-year-old is yet to commit his future to Newcastle, and although his contract runs until 2028, Isak and his agents are looking for a significant pay increase this summer.
Contract negotiations take centre-stage in Alexander Isak saga
Liverpool have put the pressure on Newcastle by making it known they are ready to make a more formal approach for Isak if given encouragement to do so.
And according to RTK transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey, the Reds are not planning to walk away unless something changes in the Swede’s contract negotiations.
“Liverpool aren’t going away,” says Bailey. “If there’s a chance of getting him, Liverpool are going to be there. I think the approach was more to say to Isak and Newcastle, ‘don’t forget, we are here and ready to make our move’. That was intrinsically behind it.”
On whether Liverpool could soon formalise their approach, the reporter says it will only come once the conditions are right for the Reds.
“If Liverpool think it’s doable, a bid could go in, it’s not beyond the realms of fantasy,” Bailey says. “They’ve already come in and made it clear they’ll pay £120m, so it’s already a bid in everything but name.”
Bailey insists that before we see a more formal offer come in from Liverpool, there is likely to be an indication on whether Isak is intending to sign new terms with Newcastle.
“The contract is the main thing,” he says. “If he does, or has, turned down this contract, that’s the next thing we’ve got here. Then there could be some traction to it.”
Newcastle under pressure to pay Isak his worth
Although Newcastle would be able to demand a significant fee to sell Isak this summer, and may feel they hold the cards, Liverpool’s approach has highlighted that Isak could earn much more money playing for another club.
As a result, Bailey says the player and his agents are in a strong position to ask Newcastle to recognise his status as one of the best strikers in the country.
“One of his agents has spoken to the Saudi Arabian press, and they were really interesting comments about what’s happening,” he explains.
“Clearly, as we’ve said all along, he hasn’t signed his new contract yet and it still isn’t done. The player knows what’s going on, he knows what is potentially on offer at Liverpool or another club.
“Money isn’t the be all and end all, but he was the best striker in the Premier League last season and Newcastle need to recognise that.”
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
