Liverpool learn Alexander Isak stance as Newcastle face Hugo Ekitike plot twist | OneFootball

Reds have formalised interest in Isak as they pursue what would be another British record transfer

Liverpool have reportedly made an approach to sign Alexander Isak, though Newcastle appear to remain adamant that he is not for sale.

Isak was said to have been on a three-man striker shortlist on Merseyside also featuring Eintracht Frankfurt’s in-demand frontman Hugo Ekitike and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, whom Galatasaray after trying to sign on a permanent basis after his successful loan spell last season.

However, Newcastle have always been said to have no interest in selling their top asset, having last week spent £55m to sign his Sweden team-mate Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest.

According to multiple outlets on Tuesday afternoon including The Athletic, Liverpool have now made an official approach to Newcastle about signing Isak in a deal worth around £120m - which would represent another new British transfer record.

It is thought that if Liverpool cannot land Isak then they will instead swoop for Ekitike, a player Newcastle are also actively trying to sign and for whom they have now reportedly seen a club-record bid of £70m rejected by Frankfurt, who want approximately £85m.

The Telegraph report that Newcastle, who are returning to the Champions League next season after sealing fifth place in the Premier League on a dramatic final day last term, remain adamant that Isak is not for sale after Liverpool’s enquiry, while Fabrizio Romano claims that the Magpies want to offer him a bumper new deal.

Isak currently remains under contract at St James’ Park until the summer of 2028 and has become one of the world’s best strikers since moving to Tyneside from Real Sociedad for a club-record £62m fee in 2022, scoring 62 goals in 109 total appearances across all competitions so far including 27 in 42 last season.

Only Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah (29) of Liverpool scored more than his 23 in the Premier League. Two of Isak’s goals came against Liverpool, including what proved to be the winner in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in March.

Isak was also a long-term transfer target for Liverpool’s main title rivals Arsenal, who are instead now close to completing the signing of his Sweden team-mate Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting.

Ekitike, meanwhile, netted 22 times last season for Frankfurt, where he has quickly kick-started his career after a quiet stint at Paris Saint-Germain that followed his time at Reims.