Liverpool plot sublime £255m double signing as ‘furious’ Alexander Isak has ‘checked out’ at Newcastle…

Liverpool is planning an impressive £255m double signing as a ‘furious’ Alexander Isak has seemingly ‘checked out’ at Newcastle.

Months ago, Alexander Isak began to ‘check out’ at Newcastle United, with reports indicating that Liverpool might execute a stunning double acquisition for the Swedish striker and Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

Isak has not joined Newcastle’s pre-season tour in Asia as he is looking to explore his options for a summer transfer.

Initially, Newcastle claimed that Isak was absent due to a minor thigh injury, but sources have informed TEAMtalk that his scan results were clear.

Our transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, disclosed exclusively on Thursday morning that Isak is seeking a move due to dissatisfaction with Newcastle’s transfer activities, believing the club cannot fulfill his ambitions.

Other journalists, including Fabrizio Romano, Craig Hope, Ben Jacobs, and Alex Crook, later corroborated TEAMtalk’s findings.

The prolific centre-forward, who netted 23 Premier League goals last season, is eager to join Liverpool, convinced that he can secure the most prestigious trophies under Arne Slot.

Manchester United, Chelsea, and Al-Hilal have all shown interest in Isak, but Liverpool currently holds the advantage in the race to sign him.

Liverpool has already invested heavily this summer but can fund a deal for Isak by offloading up to seven players, including Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Harvey Elliott.

According to the Daily Mail’s Newcastle reporter Hope, Isak is ‘furious’ that the recently departed sporting director Paul Mitchell was reluctant to offer him a lucrative new contract.

The 25-year-old believes he deserves a significant pay increase to reflect his status as one of the top strikers globally, but negotiations have stalled in recent months, and Isak is now firmly opposed to a new deal.

Hope further notes that Newcastle began to observe a shift in Isak’s attitude after he scored in the League Cup final victory over Liverpool, of all teams.

“Following the cup victory, his performance declined, although he still managed to score and concluded the season with 27 goals,” Hope noted.

“However, when he withdrew from a crucial match against Arsenal on the second-to-last weekend of the season due to muscle fatigue, some began to speculate that he was starting to disengage.”

Isak maintains ‘nothing but respect and admiration’ for his colleagues at Newcastle and the club’s fans, yet he aspires to win trophies like the Premier League and Champions League, believing that joining Liverpool is the optimal path to achieve this.

Liverpool has already set a new British transfer record by acquiring Florian Wirtz for £116 million, and Hugo Ekitike has also joined for £69 million plus £10 million in add-ons.

However, it was revealed on Friday that Liverpool is gearing up to break the British transfer record once more for Isak. TEAMtalk reports that the Reds may initiate the bidding at approximately £130 million, although Newcastle is anticipated to demand an astonishing £150 million.

Additionally, Liverpool may not stop there, as Madrid’s Rodrygo is among their primary targets to take over the left wing position vacated by Diaz.

According to the Spanish outlet Fichajes, Liverpool is preparing a substantial €120 million (£105 million) bid for Rodrygo.

The Brazilian is dissatisfied with his lack of guaranteed starting opportunities under Xabi Alonso and is prioritizing a move to the Premier League this summer to escape the shadows of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

Sources informed TEAMtalk last week that Rodrygo is indeed on Liverpool’s shortlist for wingers, although the transaction will be expensive.

Rodrygo could potentially join Liverpool following Alexander Isak.

We understand that Madrid is seeking at least €90 million (£79 million) plus significant bonuses to part with Rodrygo, as they consider him one of the top players globally.

If Liverpool’s reported £105 million offer is accurate, it will likely meet Madrid’s asking price. We now await confirmation or denial from other sources regarding Fichajes’ assertion.

If Liverpool fail to secure Rodrygo, they may consider other options like Bradley Barcola, Anthony Gordon, or Malick Fofana.

Additionally, there is a possibility for Slot to deploy Ekitike on the left side if Liverpool appoint Isak as their new No 9, or he might play alongside the two forwards up front.

This remarkable transfer window has demonstrated that Liverpool made the right decision last summer by investing a modest amount and placing their faith in their exceptionally skilled squad.

Slot excelled in leading the Reds to the title, and now Liverpool is constructing a super-team that could also bring them Champions League success.

Further updates on the Alexander Isak situation

Isak has received an astonishing offer of £600,000 per week but has turned down this lucrative proposal as he is determined to join Liverpool.

While Newcastle would prefer to persuade the player to remain, they are now exploring potential replacements.

Benjamin Sesko is their primary target, and TEAMtalk disclosed his feelings about the transfer on Friday.