Today is the day Liverpool finally made an official move for Alexander Isak.
The figure offered is not clear. Some say £100m plus add-ons, other suggest it’s £110-£120m plus future payments. But, either way, it’s been rejected.
The offer falls well short of Newcastle’s £150m valuation, with Newcastle not only demanding a whopping record fee, but also for TWO striker to sign at St James’ Park before they sanction is sale.
So, that is Newcastle’s reported stance and rightly so, but who could arrive in the opposite direction?
With our hopes of landing Benjamin Sesko in serious doubt as Man Utd move in, The Mail’s Craig Hope now reports that Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is now the big one to watch.
In light of Liverpool’s bid and Isak’s camp attempting to force a move, Hope reports that Newcastle are set to target the 29-year-old England international.
A bid may depend on encouragement from the player’s side, but with his future at Villa Park in doubt, the former Brentford star may jump at the chance to become Newcastle’s new No. 9.
Man Utd had shortlisted Watkins, but if they move for Sesko and Villa look to bring in a new striker themselves, the dominos could start to fall. But again, only if Liverpool come in with the right Isak bid.
As for that second striker addition, Newcastle are still hoping to land Yoane Wissa as talks continue, but that move likely to depend on Brentford signing a replacement of their own.
I can’t see us signing two players about to enter their 30s for a large portion of our transfer budget one maybe.
We just need to get something done, get a new CEO and a SD for a start as the people in charge of transfers this summer have failed.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
I’d be well happy with Watkins and Wissa. I understand what people are saying about age but we’d get a good 3 years out of Watkins I think and a good 4-5 years out of Wissa.
They both have a wealth of PL experience and both would be good to go – our best chance of a successful season (as in CL qualification again).
Blooding new youth players regardless of how good they are in other leagues now or how good they might be in the PL – we need them ready now.
In that next 3 years Osula can develop as can some of our other young players – but it also gives us chance to sort our back office and get scouting some young talent to take over.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sean Neave looks a decent prospect as well but is 2-3 years away, Watkins would be perfect while someone like Sean beds in.
Johnny Mac(Quote)
Johnny – that’s my thinking mate, and hopefully that’s the clubs thinking too 🤞🏼.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Paying 60 mill for Ollie Watkins u joking aren’t ya he’s 29, and Wissa 28 for may b 35 mill. It’s silly money Newcastle would never sign older players are we getting desperate or what.
Marty B(Quote)
Marty – Liverpool paid £85m for a 24yr old Darwin Nunez.
Man Utd paid around £80m for a 20yr old Hojlund.
Sesko is supposedly valued around £70-80m and whilst he’s 22 and has the longevity – that’s only good if he’s successful – he also has the pressure of coming in to replace Isak.
I think Watkins would have a stronger mental fortitude – has both PL and CL experience and will be motivated to make the England squad for the WC.
If we can get both him and Wissa for £80-85m that’s great business.
Sharpy17(Quote)
“as Liverpool make Isak move – Report”
Yas has told the bin gippers to eff off, mate!
Hilary Clinton(Quote)
Assuming we don’t get Sesko and lose Isak then my preference would be Wissa and Evann Guessand from Nice.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Watkins wont leave Villa, certainly not for Newcastle, no offence but its a slight backwards step. Ok you have champions league compared to our Europa league, but we will finish ahead of you next season imo, we played champions got to the quarter final and only lost out on goal difference to Newcastle. You guys never kicked a single ball in Europe, that will cost you about 6 to 8 points. Where as our Europe this year is easier, so we could grab a few extra points.
Carl(Quote)
Are you all crazy??? This is a set up by the supposed big clubs , trying to break our mould and structure . Liverpool have no plans to sign isak , there just trying to **** with are plans. There has been a secret meeting in my eyes that the top clubs have combined to fight off us . And get any player we look at ?¿? This beyond a joke now , why the **** won’t these teams reliase that the league needs to move forward ? Not backwards ?? Chelsea themselves have enough players to play in three divisions / premier league/championship and la league.it really needs to change , I’m sick of this Richard masters getting back handers from the so called top clubs . And before you critisize think and look yourself ?¿?
S.dodds(Quote)
Harvey Elliott plus the offer they have already made and they might have a chance, currently they Liverpool are taking the P..S having unsettled him in the first place.
As for Isak wanting to explore his options it’s absolute C..P, he wants to go to Liverpool end of.
We should keep his registration and stick him in training with the reserves for three years. I couldn’t trust him again the selfish A..e H…e !
Josep(Quote)
Liverpool obviously don’t value Isak that much if they are not prepared to offer the asking price.
I would give them till Monday to cough up, and it they don’t, tell them to go and F..k themselves sideways.
Joseph(Quote)
Nice one Josep, let Isak rot with reserves for 3 years if he wants (certainly not heading to Real socided or whatever overseas club to train and keep his form)
someone claims it is an huge expense yes, but it is the way to show other players the club and fans base is the employer
just replace the Swede with Wissa as the main striker AND Adeyemi or Gonçalo Ramos or Samu Aghehowa or someone relatively lesser known but quick/hungry as wildcard (but not Jorgen Strand Larsen or Rodrigo Muniz pls, as both will come with the ridiculous PL tax)
strengthen the midfield with Gallagher or Baleba (funded by Longstaff, and if needed Barnes who’s getting slower and inflexible in his way of playing, while Willock should be sold but won’t sell)
spend on one younger/quicker CB (helped by much cheaper Ramsey than Trafford) … this NUFC can fly again
we will do just fine
Kay(Quote)