Report: Newcastle rocked as striker eyes exit amid Liverpool interest | OneFootball

Liverpool Keep Tabs as Newcastle Star Weighs Future

Newcastle United are bracing for a significant test of resolve as one of their most valuable assets considers his next move. The forward, who was omitted from the Magpies’ pre-season tour of Asia due to a reported thigh issue, is understood to be unsettled and contemplating his future, amid strong interest from Liverpool and potential overtures from Saudi Arabia.

While the club maintains a firm stance that their striker is not for sale, internal discussions and ongoing player discontent paint a more complex picture. Newcastle’s valuation is believed to be in the region of £130 million—a figure that reflects both his talent and his importance to Eddie Howe’s plans.

Liverpool Monitoring Developments

Liverpool, fresh from signing Hugo Ekitike, are still believed to be monitoring the situation closely. Despite no formal bid being submitted, the Merseyside club are understood to have sufficient financial capacity to move should the opportunity arise. Further outgoings at Anfield are anticipated this summer, potentially clearing the way for another high-profile arrival.

Club sources suggest that while Saudi Arabia could offer eye-watering sums, the player prefers to remain in a top European league. That narrows the field considerably, and while Newcastle hope to convince him to stay, the player’s reluctance to engage in new contract discussions is a concern.

Newcastle Weighing Contingency Plans

Newcastle’s summer transfer activity hints at contingency planning already being considered. Long-time target Benjamin Šeško of RB Leipzig remains on their radar, with the Slovenian viewed as a potential replacement should their current No.9 force a move.

Negotiations have also progressed with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, though a disparity remains in valuation between the two clubs. Wissa is seen as a possible successor to Callum Wilson, whose future is also under review. That Newcastle are exploring two separate forward profiles highlights the scale of uncertainty currently engulfing the club’s attacking department.

Strategic Misstep or Leverage Play?

For Newcastle, this developing saga is another layer of disruption in what has already been a frustrating summer window. Missed targets such as Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Dean Huijsen and Bryan Mbeumo have left the recruitment team under pressure. With the player’s camp now applying pressure and limited elite alternatives on the market, the Magpies may find themselves negotiating from a weakened position.

The situation also comes at a time of flux within the club’s executive structure. The hunt for a new director of football is ongoing, with Ross Wilson emerging as the frontrunner. Meanwhile, chief executive Darren Eales remains in post but is currently working through an extended notice period.

For all the financial muscle provided by owners PIF, this moment could become a defining one. Whether Newcastle can match their player’s ambition—or replace him adequately if he departs—remains a live question as the Premier League season approaches.