Liverpool have had a £110m bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle United and will not return with an improved offer during the current transfer window. The Merseyside club had been encouraged to test Newcastle's resolve after the Sweden international expressed a desire to move to Anfield, but the swiftness of the rejection has convinced Liverpool that a second bid would be futile.
Newcastle value the 25-year-old at £150m, a British transfer-record sum, and are reluctant to part with a player who finished as the second-highest scorer in the Premier League last season behind Mohamed Salah. The offer from Liverpool fell short of the £120m figure suggested when sporting director Richard Hughes made an informal enquiry a fortnight ago, and the proposal remains on the table without any expectation of acceptance.
Liverpool have already spent nearly £300m this summer, including a £79m deal for Hugo Ekitiké, but have recouped £190m in sales since Hughes arrived in June 2024. Their existing club record is the £100m paid to Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz, a fee that could rise to £116m with add-ons. The club's financial strength has allowed them to test Newcastle's resolve, though the rejection suggests no further progress will be made before the window closes on 1 September.
Isak did not travel on Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia, with the club citing a minor thigh injury. However, the player has told Newcastle he wishes to explore his options this summer, with Liverpool his preferred destination, and has been training at former club Real Sociedad this week. Isak has three years remaining on his contract at St James' Park, and there has been no progress on a new and improved deal.
Newcastle have maintained that Isak is not for sale, but their attempts to sign other top-level strikers have so far been unsuccessful. They have missed out on Hugo Ekitiké, Liam Delap, João Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo, while a move for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko faces competition from Manchester United. Brentford have also rejected Newcastle's opening offer for Yoane Wissa, leaving the club's striker search unresolved.
