Liverpool are preparing a £100 million bid for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, according to reports. The Swedish international has refused to play for the Magpies as he pushes for a move to Anfield, with the transfer saga threatening to drag on until the January window.
Newcastle have rejected a solitary £110 million offer from the Premier League champions, holding out for a fee closer to their £150 million valuation. However, the club's hierarchy is under pressure to resolve the situation before the transfer deadline on Monday evening.
Magpies legend Alan Shearer has called for a swift resolution, stating the matter must be settled by the weekend. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer said: 'It has to be resolved; they can't go through until next Monday. It's just been going on and on.'
Gary Lineker, however, suspects the standoff could continue beyond the deadline. He theorised: 'If it stays as a stalemate, it goes to the end of the window. Then if nothing happens… it will drift on to January, which is no good for anyone, unless Isak changes his tune.'
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has grown frustrated with the ongoing distraction, focusing instead on the players committed to the club. Speaking after a 3-2 defeat to Liverpool, Howe said: 'We want clarity, we want to move forward, we want the narrative to change because we're in the start of the season now.'
