Liverpool entered the final month of the transfer window on Friday still with plenty of work to do.
The Reds have had one of their best summer markets in years, with four major new signings arriving. But there is still room for more.
The big-ticket target is Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, who could yet join Liverpool for a British record fee.
Isak did not report for Newcastle’s tour of Singapore and South Korea last week, and has instead been training alone at the facilities of former club Real Sociedad.
The 25-year-old has upset plenty of Magpies’ fans over recent days, as they come to terms with the fact that he wants a move to Anfield.
Newcastle are expected back on Tyneside next Monday after completing their tour, and Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has now revealed whether Isak is expected to report for duty with his teammates.
Alexander Isak set for showdown talks with Eddie Howe
If Isak were to leave Newcastle this summer, it was always going to take him pushing hard for the move to happen.
With three years left on his contract, the Magpies are in a strong position. Isak has been doing his best to weaken it.
According to Downie, though, after more than a week of trouble brewing, the Sweden international is set to come back to Newcastle for training on Monday.
“He’s not training with Real Sociedad, they are away on their own pre-season preparations, it’s an empty training ground but he’s out there training with his own team,” the journalist told Sky Sports News on Friday morning.
READ MORE: Liverpool told they may be in line for discount on Alexander Isak’s mammoth move from Newcastle
“His team are based out there in Spain, he often goes there to recover if he has an injury or he needs a little bit of physio treatment. The club are comfortable with that relationship he has with his own team.
“Newcastle are back on Monday from South Korea and I would be amazed if Alexander Isak is not there having a one-to-one chat with Eddie Howe,” Downie adds.
“I don’t think he can essentially go on strike, I think he will report back on Monday and then I think the club and the player will take it from there.”
Isak saga set for crucial week
Having separated himself from his teammates this summer, it will be fascinating to see what occurs when Isak is reunited with the group next week.
Face-to-face talks with Howe will likely be key to determining where the striker’s head is at, and Downie says that the chance for manager and player to meet in person makes the next few days absolutely key in Isak’s transfer saga.
“I feel looking at it at the moment we might get a bit more clarity on it next week before everyone will be there in the same room,” he says. “I think next week is crucial for this situation.
“I don’t see it dragging on until the end of the transfer window with the sums of money we’re talking about. It’s not the sort of deal that’s going to go through on deadline day or even the day before deadline day.
“I think Newcastle and the player himself will want it sorted out one way or another before then.”
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