Alexander Isak Saga Continues as Liverpool Await Nunez Sale and Newcastle Signings | OneFootball

The Bid, the Refusal, and the Real Play at Hand

Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak has seemingly reached a pivotal moment. Reports now confirm that a £110 million bid for the Swedish international has been rejected by Newcastle United, with the Magpies maintaining their stance that it will take a minimum of £130 million to force a sale. On the surface, this might suggest a breakdown in negotiations — but a closer look at the timeline, behaviour, and market dynamics suggests something very different.

Isak, it appears, is doing his part to push through the move. The 25-year-old has not returned to training and is reportedly unwilling to reintegrate into Newcastle’s squad, signalling that his heart is firmly set on a move to Anfield. Liverpool’s opening bid, therefore, may not have been a genuine attempt to close the deal, but rather part of a carefully staged process to allow Newcastle to save face.

This is negotiation theatre at its finest and is causing animosity in all relevant supporter groups and sports journalists. It provides Eddie Howe with the appearance of strength — a manager standing firm to retain a star asset — and allows Newcastle to extract every last drop of value while controlling the public narrative. But behind the scenes, there’s a growing belief that the deal is already in motion, pending two crucial developments: the sale of Darwin Núñez and Newcastle’s acquisition of a replacement forward.

The Darwin Domino and Front-Loaded Solutions

The key to Liverpool landing Isak lies in Saudi Arabia. Al Hilal, desperate to secure the services of Darwin Núñez, are reportedly prepared to offer £70 million — and crucially, they’re willing to pay that sum upfront. For Liverpool and Michael Edwards, that kind of liquidity is gold for their down payment wants. It means the Reds can immediately allocate that £70 million as the first payment toward the Isak deal, with the remaining £60 million deferred to the summer of 2026.

This structure is textbook Edwards: cash in immediately, reinvest cleverly, and keep the squad moving forward with minimal net spend. Rather than overextending financially or forcing through a high-risk transfer, Liverpool would simply be rebalancing resources — trading one striker with inconsistent output for another entering his peak and already Premier League-proven.

The planning doesn’t stop there. Should Isak arrive, Liverpool would have the flexibility to offload Cody Gakpo next summer, recouping a significant portion — if not all — of the deferred balance owed to Newcastle. That deal could mirror those of Sepp van den Berg or Fabio Carvalho: high-fee exits of fringe players reinvested into the spine of the team. It’s a sustainable loop, and one that doesn’t require FSG to abandon its principles or stretch the wage structure.

This also leaves room for internal development. With Isak, Wirtz, and Ekitike arriving this summer, Liverpool can afford to ease Rio Ngumoha into more meaningful minutes in 2025/26, before making him a full-fledged option in 2026/27. It’s chess, not checkers — the kind of layered planning that sets elite clubs apart from the rest.

Isak Before the Curtain Rises?

All signs point to Liverpool completing the deal before the Community Shield on Sunday, August 10. The window to replace Núñez is narrowing for Newcastle, and their interest in players like Benjamin Šeško and Ollie Watkins suggests internal acceptance that Isak is on his way out. Once their replacement is secured, the green light will be given.

From Liverpool’s perspective, the timing would be ideal. Isak could be registered in time to train with Arne Slot’s squad during the final stretch of preseason and slot seamlessly into the number 9 role. With the Premier League title to defend and Champions League ambitions to restore, Liverpool simply cannot afford a slow start or another season of forward-line uncertainty.

What we’re witnessing is not a bidding war, but a choreographed process where both clubs appear strong and satisfied. The public posturing suits Newcastle, the financial structuring suits Liverpool, and the outcome will likely suit Isak — who may walk out at Wembley, wearing red, ready to lead a new era under Slot.

He’s not just a target. He’s the target. And by Sunday 10th August, barring any unexpected turns, Alexander Isak will be a Liverpool player.