Alexander Isak tells Newcastle he wants to LEAVE as Liverpool consider £125m transfer

Alexander Isak has told Newcastle that he wants to explore a move away in a bombshell development. Isak, 25, has put Liverpool on red alert after they made an approach to sign him last week.

The Premier League champions were told by Newcastle that the striker wasn't for sale and Liverpool turned their focus to fellow striker Hugo Ekitike. On Wednesday, Liverpool announced the signing of 23-year-old Ekitike after agreeing a £79million deal with Eintracht Frankfurt.

It then emerged that Isak hadn't travelled with Newcastle's squad for their pre-season tour of Asia. Newcastle insisted that the Swede has been nursing a minor thigh injury and medical staff were concerned about the long-haul flight.

However, as first reported by The Daily Mail, Isak has informed Newcastle that he wishes to consider his options and explore a transfer away from the club. He also doesn't want to commit to signing a new contract, with his current deal not expiring until 2028.

Eddie Howe revealed following Saturday's friendly with Celtic that he'd sent Isak home because of the 'speculation' over his future.

If Newcastle were forced to sell, they'd demand a fee in excess of £125m - a new British record. Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal have also been linked with a money-spinning move, but are, of course, have the same overall ownership as the Magpies.

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Howe explained Isak's absence for the Celtic game, a 4-0 loss, post-match. "It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him," the Magpies boss confirmed.

"The last thing he wanted is to be sat in the stand watching, that wasn't fair to him. But I'm confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window.

"It's difficult for me to give 100 per cent clarity on any player. Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the team. I'm confident he'll be here at the start of the season.

Should Liverpool make a bid for Alexander Isak? Have your say in the comments section.

"Yes, I've had discussions with him but that's not abnormal. I respect a player's career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he's trained really well and I realise there'll be noise around him."

Liverpool have already spent close to £300m this summer, breaking the British record themselves with the £116m signing of Florian Wirtz while making a further six signings. With the potential sales of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott, the Reds DO still have the financial capacity to bid for Isak - even after signing French forward Ekitike.

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