Liverpool's interest in Alexander Isak was - or rather is - entirely genuine. Newcastle United, at least publicly, have maintained that the 25-year-old Sweden international simply is not for sale. But when the Reds stepped up their efforts to land the striker earlier this week, it suggested they had had some private encouragement to the contrary.

Back to Alexander Isak though and he is a bit of a unique stand out case, amongst the Newcastle United players. Yes, there are still three years left on his current contract, but it is universally agreed that this is the right moment where a new deal has to happen.

One name dominating the conversation is Alexander Isak, with Panenka LFC offering a fascinating analysis of why the Swedish forward is at the top of Liverpool’s shortlist. “If he’s not available, then they will turn to sign Hugo Ekitike.

Isak has attracted interest from Liverpool but Elanga did not want to be drawn into where his friend's future may lie.

The Reds open their Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth on Friday, August 15 and will hope to have most of their transfer business wrapped up by that point. Liverpool lifted the title in Arne Slot’s first season at the club but they have not defended a top-flight title since the mid-1980s.

The latest from St James Park as Newcastle United look to secure their second major signing of the summer transfer window.

Liverpool’s Isak Gamble and Ekitike’s RiseThe drawn-out saga surrounding Alexander Isak continues to hover over Liverpool’s summer rebuild. Newcastle remain determined to hold firm, pricing