David Ornstein has revealed that Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool remains “possible” in the final week of the transfer window — though the saga is set to go right down to the wire.
The Newcastle striker has been locked in a standoff with his club after effectively going on strike to force a switch to Anfield. He was absent once again as Eddie Howe’s side fell 3-2 to Liverpool at St James’ Park on Monday night.
Newcastle already rejected Liverpool’s £110m bid earlier this month and insist they will not sell unless they secure attacking reinforcements first.
Ornstein: Isak deal not dead yet
Writing in The Athletic’s Transfer DealSheet, Ornstein explained:
“It was expected nothing firm would develop on his future until after Newcastle United hosted Liverpool last night – but now that is out of the way, some form of clarity should arrive in the coming days.”
He added that while Newcastle maintain they don’t intend to part with the 25-year-old, their pursuit of Yoane Wissa and Jorgen Strand Larsen shows they are preparing for the possibility.
“If Newcastle manage to strengthen satisfactorily and Liverpool submit an offer that they deem suitable, it is possible a move will evolve before the cut-off. But there are a lot of ‘ifs’ and no guarantees as to how it ends. This could go down to the wire.”
What happens next?
The situation now hinges on two factors: Newcastle’s ability to bring in a replacement, and whether Liverpool will return with an improved bid. With less than a week to go, the pressure is mounting on both sides.
For Liverpool, landing Isak would be a major coup — adding last season’s 23-goal Premier League striker, second only to Mo Salah, to Arne Slot’s already formidable front line.
If the Magpies hold firm, the Reds can still rely on Hugo Ekitike, who has hit the ground running since his arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring in each of his first three matches.
As deadline day approaches, one question remains: will the Isak saga fizzle into an anti-climax, or explode into one of the summer’s blockbuster deals?
