Liverpool to submit £125-plus million offer for Alexander Isak: Report

Liverpool have made their first formal move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, with a British-record bid that could surpass £125 million, Mail Sport reported Tuesday.

The Premier League champions are determined to sign a new centre-forward and are now officially testing Newcastle’s long-standing stance that the Sweden international is not for sale.

According to Dominic King and Simon Jones, Liverpool are prepared to break their transfer record for the second time this summer after landing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a £116 million deal. Isak would cost even more, with sources suggesting a final package could reach £130 million. Newcastle, however, remain “adamant that Isak is not for sale.”

The club wants to extend his £120,000-per-week contract but has made no progress since talks stalled earlier this year. ESPN confirmed Liverpool have approached Newcastle to assess his availability, though no agreement is in place.

“The Premier League champions have registered their interest,” ESPN added, “but have not submitted a formal offer.”

Still, multiple sources now confirm that formal discussions have started. BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel reported that “genuine moves” have been made in recent days.

Isak, currently with Newcastle’s squad at a pre-season camp in Austria, has scored 62 goals in 102 appearances since joining in 2022. He scored against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final in March.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are working already on securing Isak’s replacement in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, bidding £70 million so far, well short of Frankfurt’s €100 million (£86m) asking price.

Arsenal still hold ‘genuine interest’ in Anthony Gordon

Arsenal reportedly still hold a ‘genuine interest’ in Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon, as per talkSPORT.

After moving to St James’ Park from Everton, the Englishman initially took time to settle down in his new surroundings but has established himself as an integral part of Eddie Howe’s starting eleven.

Alexander Isak and Gordon have been the two talismanic figures for the Tyneside club in recent years. However, the Englishman struggled with fitness problems last term, as a result, he found it difficult to showcase his best.

Now, talkSPORT state that after finalising the moves to sign Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera, and Noni Madueke, Arsenal are now looking to shift focus to the left flank.

They have identified Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace as the primary option and have been in talks with the player’s representatives over this deal for a while. The player is even ready to move to the Emirates Stadium.

However, Arsenal still hold a ‘genuine interest’ in Gordon and could make a move to secure his service this summer. Along with the Englishman, Mikel Arteta’s side are keen on signing Rafael Leao and Rodrygo Goes, but purchasing any of the three players will be dependent on whether they can cash-in on Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard.

Gordon to Arsenal

The Newcastle star is valued at around £56m by Transfermarkt and still has a long-term contract at St James’ Park, having recently signed an extension. So, Howe’s side are in no hurry to let him leave; moreover, they have qualified for the Champions League, meaning they can persuade the forward to stay.

Gordon is an explosive winger and has proven his worth in the Premier League in recent years. Therefore, he would be a great coup for the Gunners should they eventually manage to secure his service.

Andrea Berta has been doing an enormous job in the transfer market this summer and has been trying to address almost every issue Arsenal currently have in the squad.

Therefore, Arteta will have to win the Premier League or the Champions League title next season. If he still goes trophyless next term, his position may come under threat.

As exciting as Ekitike: Newcastle discussing bid to sign “elite” £40m star

Good things come to those who wait. That’s an aphorism firmly printed in the minds of Newcastle United’s fanbase, for sure.

The Magpies have endured another frustrating start to a summer transfer window, with the likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Joao Pedro all opting against moves to St. James’ Park.

But Eddie Howe has bounced back from last summer’s failed bid for Anthony Elanga by signing the Nottingham Forest winger for £55m, thus filling a gaping hole in his first-team squad.

Now, he’s planning something special. Something emblematic of the club’s ambitions, their desire to not just to upset the Premier League hegemony but to destroy it, establishing themselves as part of a new ‘big six’.

Having won the Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League for the second time in three years, the Toon are well on their way to achieving this, and the signing of Hugo Ekitike would only rubberstamp this new position of strength.

The latest on Hugo Ekitike to Newcastle

Make no mistake, Newcastle would send shockwaves rippling across the footballing world if beating Liverpool and Chelsea, among others, to Ekitike’s signature.

The Frenchman is a rare breed of centre-forward, truly dynamic and creative in his approach to his craft. Already, he has been described by analyst Ben Mattinson as being “one of the best strikers out there”, and yet we’re looking at a player who still has a mountain to climb before completing his development.

And it’s hard to imagine that evolution will simply cease upon a move to Tyneside. Eintracht Frankfurt have overseen the 23-year-old’s progress since he arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in January 2024 as a loanee before becoming a fixed feature at the prow of the ship.

Newcastle’s interest runs deep, of course, for United had a £33m bid accepted back in 2022, but for the Reims prospect’s head to be turned by PSG’s late interruption.

And now, according to top sources such as The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are pushing ahead, looking to close a deal.