The Swedish international, widely regarded as one of the world's top forwards, has made it clear he wants to leave St James' Park, setting his sights firmly on Anfield.

Isak's stellar performance last season, where he netted 27 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions, has drawn attention from multiple clubs. However, Liverpool have emerged as his preferred destination, even after their recent signing of Hugo Ekitike for approximately 80 million pounds.

The Reds see Isak as a transformative addition to their already formidable attack, with sources describing him as their "dream signing."Liverpool's initial offer of around 120 million pounds was swiftly rejected by Newcastle, who value their talisman at closer to 150 million pounds.

Since the bid, tensions have escalated. Isak, who missed Newcastle's pre-season tour citing a minor thigh injury, has returned to training but has been instructed to work alone, a sign of strained relations with the Magpies. Manager Eddie Howe confirmed the situation, stating, "You have to earn the right to train with us. We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility to be part of a team and act in the right way".

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano provided an update on X, noting, "Liverpool maintain their focus on Alexander Isak for the final weeks of the summer window. New proposal, ready to be submitted if Newcastle open doors to the move. Isak maintains his position; he doesn't want to play or stay at Newcastle, he wants to leave and join #LFC".

Romano also highlighted that Isak has rejected lucrative offers from Saudi clubs, including Al Hilal, emphasizing his desire to compete at Europe's highest level with Liverpool.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri added that clarity on Isak's future is expected soon, saying, "Alexander Isak's situation at Liverpool is expected to be clarified in the coming days. The Reds are driven by the player's desire but have already prepared a backup plan in case the deal falls through". Liverpool have reportedly identified Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola as an alternative target should negotiations stall.

The Daily Mail's Craig Hope outlined the two critical conditions for Isak's departure: "For him to be sold, two things still need to happen: Liverpool need to make an acceptable offer, and Newcastle need to have his replacement(s) on their way".

Newcastle have been active in the market, targeting RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko as a potential successor, but Manchester United are currently favored to secure the Slovenian striker. Hope also noted that Isak is "very unlikely to feature in this weekend's friendly fixtures at St James' Park," suggesting the player's reluctance to represent Newcastle amid the ongoing saga.

Newcastle's firm stance reflects their ambition to compete in the Champions League, having finished fifth last season and won the Carabao Cup. However, their failure to land other targets like Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Hugo Ekitike has left them short of attacking options, with only Will Osula as a recognized first-team striker.

Howe remains hopeful of keeping Isak, stating, "I really don't know what's going to happen next, but from our perspective, we still support Alex in every way, and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again".

For Liverpool, financial constraints are not a concern. Their 190 million pounds in player sales, including Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold, combined with healthy revenues from their title, winning campaign, give them the flexibility to pursue a record-breaking deal. Yet, with the transfer window closing on September 1, time is ticking for both clubs to resolve this high-stakes standoff.

If Newcastle secure a replacement and Liverpool meet their valuation, Isak could spearhead the Reds' attack in their quest to defend the Premier League title. If not, both player and club face a challenging task of mending their fractured relationship before the 2025/26 season kicks off.

MTN8 semi-final first-leg dates, venues and kick-off times confirmed