Liverpool agreed £120m swap deal involving out-of-favour England star…

Liverpool reached a £120m swap agreement that included an out-of-favour England player, but Newcastle later reconsidered.

Liverpool and Newcastle may find themselves embroiled in a £120 million transfer battle for the second consecutive summer.

The Reds hold a strong admiration for Magpies striker Alexander Isak, while Eddie Howe is among the many interested in Harvey Elliott.

talkSPORT reports that Elliott is eager to leave Anfield this summer, with RB Leipzig also monitoring his situation.

Liverpool is expected to ask for over £40 million to part with the playmaker, a figure comparable to what they valued his England teammate, Joe Gomez, at this time last year.

Gomez was poised to finalize a £45 million transfer to Newcastle in June 2024, with Anthony Gordon heading in the opposite direction.

As per the Daily Mail, Gordon, who was on Euro 2024 duty, even had a medical appointment scheduled in Leipzig for his £75 million transfer.

Former Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley, who played a crucial role in facilitating the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) acquisition of the Premier League club in 2021, has confirmed Liverpool’s interest.

The 52-year-old divested all her shares in the Tyneside club shortly after the PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) deadline on June 30.

She later shared with The Athletic: “I was aware of my impending departure, but the fans and PIF deserved my full attention.

“Had I left before the (PSR deadline) and we had breached it, that would have been detrimental. It was extremely challenging, but I was committed to ensuring [Newcastle CEO] Darren [Eales] had a clear path forward.

“My primary worry was losing Alex (Isak) or Anthony (Gordon) because Liverpool was pursuing them, and both are exceptional talents. Negotiating is challenging as you must act indifferent when it means everything to you.”

Having been born in Liverpool, Gordon spent time in the club’s academy before departing for Everton at the age of 11 in 2012.

The winger, who subsequently joined Newcastle in January 2023, remains a lifelong Reds supporter and is close friends with current Anfield player Curtis Jones, having progressed through the club’s Kirkby academy.

However, Newcastle decided against Gordon’s possible return to Merseyside following a series of last-minute sales in other areas.

The transfers of Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest for £35m and Brighton’s acquisition of Yankuba Minteh for £33m allowed the Toon to generate the funds necessary to retain their key players.

In October, Gordon signed a new contract at St James’ Park, but renewed interest from Liverpool surfaced at the beginning of June.

talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook expressed his belief that a transfer for the Three Lions star could happen this summer.

He stated: “They are significant admirers of Alexander Isak, that is undeniable, but it would require a substantial offer to lure him away from Newcastle.

“The situation with Gordon is intriguing. It’s one I’ve always kept in mind as a possibility for the future, since he was very close to joining Liverpool around this time last year, extremely close.

“To the point where the negotiations were in the final stages, and I believe Newcastle ultimately decided they couldn’t let him go.

“Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising if Liverpool still has an interest that needs addressing.

“However, I think it would necessitate a considerable offer, and perhaps they will need to offload some players before considering that.”

Since then, Liverpool has sold Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Jarell Quansah, with Elliott now also available for transfer.

On the other hand, Newcastle has yet to secure a significant signing and recently had their pursuit of Joao Pedro interrupted by Chelsea.

Elliott is among the alternatives for the No.10 position, but only time will reveal whether he will be supporting the £150m-rated Isak in red, black-and-white, or on the transfer ledger…