The remainder of Liverpool’s transfer window looks likely to be, in part, dedicated to whether they can secure Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
After months of waiting, the Reds finally made their interest in Isak known last week, approaching Newcastle to signal their intention to bid.
Since then, the Magpies have seemingly been clear that Isak is not for sale, leaving Liverpool to push ahead with, and stand on the verge of completing, a deal to sign Hugo Ekitike.
However, the feeling that this potentially record-breaking transfer saga is not yet over will not go away.
Isak was left out of Newcastle’s friendly with Celtic on Saturday, leading to renewed speculation that the Swede is unhappy with his club’s stance.
And according to former Toon manager Alan Pardew, Eddie Howe and Newcastle now face a battle to get Isak – and possibly some of their other players – back onboard.
Newcastle playing balancing act with Alexander Isak
Howe was relatively open with his comments after deciding not to play Isak against Celtic. The manager confirmed speculation linking him with Liverpool had played a part.
This prompted plenty of discussion in football circles, with Pardew invited onto TalkSPORT to give his reading of the situation.
“Reading between the lines, it looks very much like the player’s affected, I would suggest,” he surmised. “So, Eddie made a sensible move and just took it out of the equation.
“When players want to move they make it fundamentally clear in their actions and can cause a problem. Has Isak’s head been turned? I would suggest possibly yes, so they’ve got a battle on there. Eddie’s trying to play it down but it won’t go away until Liverpool conduct their business.”
“The other players, the senior players, usually side with the player, regardless of what the club decide to do,” Pardew continued. “They all want to progress in their career, a bigger contract, a bigger club, don’t think they don’t, they do.
“The Liverpool thing, I would suggest the other players are not that bothered. They obviously want him to stay because he could bring success to the club. But one day that could be them, so they want to see that the club are treating the players correctly. You have to try and find a fine balance.
“Newcastle have lost big players to Liverpool in the past. Beardsley, Andy Carroll when I was there. I know what Newcastle fans are like, they won’t want it to happen but they’ll be slightly nervous tonight.”
What will happen next in Isak saga?
Pardew’s insight is interesting here, because he clearly has vast experience of seeing this from behind the curtain.
He knows the signs to look for of when a player is attempting to force a move, and also how that ripples throughout the rest of the club.
For Isak, it is relatively clear by now that he is, at least in part, open to the idea of joining Liverpool.
As Rousing The Kop exclusively revealed late late week, Liverpool have not left the table for Isak either, so there is mutual appreciation on both sides.
However, with Newcastle standing firm, it appears it is going to take the player himself to take some action in order to open the doors. Whether Isak is willing to do that or not will likely shape where this transfer saga will go next.
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