Liverpool are planning a renewed transfer push for Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak before the Premier League window slams shut on September 1.
The Sweden international has triggered a major transfer surge after being omitted from the Magpies squad for their preseason tour of Singapore and South Korea due to 'minor thigh injury'.
That has since developed into confirmation of Isak telling Eddie Howe and the Newcastle hierarchy of his desire to 'explore opportunities away from the club this summer'.
The former Real Sociedad striker is now back on Tyneside, after a spell training with his old club in Spain, as all sides look to release some of the pressure surrounding the situation.
Howe has offered regular updates on the saga, confirming his determination to keep Isak, but the experienced coach has admitted the picture remains 'complicated' over where he will be playing in September.
As Newcastle prepare to head home from their preseason trip, Howe has confirmed a first bid from Liverpool has been rejected, but that's unlikely to be the end of Arne Slot's interest.
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How much have Liverpool offered for Alexander Isak?
Liverpool dropped a £110m offer for Isak on August 1, which was instantly turned down by Newcastle, who value their No.14 at a Premier League record £150m.
That initial package did include performance-related add-ons which would bring it up to £120m but it still falls short of Newcastle's stance with Isak under contract at St. James' Park until 2029.
The PIF ownership are prepared to stand strong on the situation, and Liverpool will now step back, to allow Newcastle to make the next move.
Pragmatism over the situation indicates Newcastle will not listen to any offers - even if Liverpool hit their asking price - until a replacement has been secured for the 2025/26 season.
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Talks with Brentford on Yoane Wissa are ongoing and the club are growing in confidence over beating Manchester United in the £56m race for RB Leipzig Benjamin Sesko.
Sesko has been linked to several Premier League clubs this summer, and Newcastle had previously dropped their efforts to sign him, but the cash injection brought by an Isak sale could allow them to sign Sesko and Wissa.
Liverpool know there will be no movement on Isak until new faces arrive at St. James', so Slot is planning for the season start without the 25-year-old, but a second offer is due to land before the end of August.
The Reds have shown their ability to thrash out deals this summer, after finally breaking Bayer Leverkusen on a record-breaking move for Florian Wirtz, but the situation on Isak will not be resolved until after the first ball is kicked on the 2025/26 season.
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