Liverpool transfer for Alexander Isak takes turn as Newcastle make decision on delay

Liverpool's chase for Newcastle United's star player, Alexander Isak, is already shaping up to be the summer's biggest transfer story, with plenty more twists and turns expected. The Reds have long been admirers of the Swedish international, who scored against them in Newcastle's Carabao Cup final triumph at Wembley in March, and they made their interest official last week.

However, the Premier League champions' £110m bid was turned down and, as it stands, they have no intention of making a second offer. That doesn't mean Liverpool have given up. They are keeping a close eye on the situation at Newcastle, whose efforts to strengthen their attack, let alone replace their top scorer from last season with 27 goals, have so far been unsuccessful.

Newcastle have failed to secure targets such as Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko and while they are considering Yoane Wissa and Nicolas Jackson, they face stiff competition. This means that currently, they are not in a position to sell Isak even if they wished to.

However, another reason has come to light as to why Newcastle are not eager to negotiate with the Reds, who face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday before kicking off their Premier League campaign at home against Bournemouth on Friday, August 15.

Following that fixture comes a journey to St James' Park, which with Isak battling to regain full fitness, could potentially mark his debut campaign appearance after a summer plagued by a thigh problem that saw him undertake individual training sessions at former club Real Sociedad.

The Chronicle claim that the Magpies are determined to prevent Isak from featuring in the blockbuster Monday Night Football clash on August 25 - against Liverpool.

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This suggests Liverpool may need to wait until the final week of the transfer window, which shuts on September 1, to secure Isak, who has made the Magpies aware of his appetite for a fresh challenge elsewhere.

His favoured destination is believed to be Anfield.

Newcastle remain in a commanding position, however, given Isak has three years left on his existing deal. Reds boss Arne Slot was quizzed about the striker at his press conference today (August 8) following Darwin Nunez's agreed £46.3m switch to Al-Hilal.

Slot remarked: "As you know, from me and I think every manager works like this, you never talk about players that are not yours. I can talk about Hugo (Ekitike), who we have signed and done really well until now.

"We are very happy with the squad and have every reason to be happy because we won the league last season. Okay, players left but we brought players in as well and youngsters are doing good.

"At this moment of time, Darwin might leave, indeed, but things are not signed so we need to wait a few days until that is completely done but there is indeed a chance he is going to leave."