Liverpool ready to welcome Alexander Isak as ‘green light’ update emerges from Newcastle

Liverpool have just over 70 hours to seal a deal for Alexander Isak before the summer transfer window shuts.

Isak has been linked with a move to Liverpool all summer as Arne Slot looks to build on the side that won the Premier League title last season.

So far, Newcastle have rebuffed Liverpool’s advances for Isak to the point that the Sweden international has been banished from Eddie Howe’s squad due to the striker’s eagerness to join the Reds.

The summer transfer window closes at 7pm on Monday, 1 September, meaning Liverpool now have just over three full days to sign the former Borussia Dortmund and Real Sociedad star.

However, on Friday afternoon, a promising update for the Anfield faithful has emerged.

Alexander Isak with his national team
Credit: Imago

Liverpool ‘very optimistic’ on Alexander Isak arrival in double deal

Isak isn’t the only player strongly linked with a move to Anfield at this late stage of the summer transfer window.

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is also a target for Liverpool, with Slot eager to add to both his attacking and defensive options in a bid to retain the Premier League title.

According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool are “very optimistic” of signing both Isak and Guehi.

It is understood that one of the two is expected to arrive on Merseyside, but Plettenberg’s update suggests 25-year-old Isak is perhaps the likeliest of the two.

He claims that the Reds are “ready to submit a new offer for Isak as soon as Newcastle give the green light”.

Earlier on Friday, it was reported that Liverpool’s next bid for Isak will be a Premier League record.

There does, finally, seem to be a big chance of a break in the stalemate between the two Premier League and Champions League sides.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot laughs during a Champions League press conference.
Credit: Imago

Eddie Howe issues Friday update on Alexander Isak’s situation amid Liverpool talk

Newcastle’s situation is a dire one.

They don’t want to be seen giving in to player power and allowing Isak to leave. But, at the same time, they don’t want to have an unhappy player causing issues in their squad.

Isak claims Newcastle have broken promises to him since the end of last season, but Magpies boss Howe has now refuted that in a new press conference.

Liverpool target Alexander Isak's stats last season in the Premier League.
Credit: Imago

“Absolutely not,” he told the media on Friday. “I never make any promises to any players regarding transfers because, ultimately, I’m not in control of the whole thing. I would never make a promise like that to any player.”

Of course, there are two sides to every story and, ultimately, someone is either telling fibs or the communication at St James’ Park has been problematic.

Either way, Liverpool have done the right thing – and that has been to wait it out until the final hours of the summer transfer window to make their move.

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