Alexander Isak to Liverpool moves one step CLOSER

It appears Newcastle are making plans to LOSE reported Liverpool target Alexander Isak. The Sweden international is a wanted man with several of the Premier League’s top teams - as well as Barcelona - said to be vying for his signature.

The Magpies appeared to be taking a hardline stance over their No9, with reports suggesting a bid of £150 million would be required before they’d do business.

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There would also be a gargantuan salary outlay for the former Dortmund striker, who is now genuinely among the best out-and-out forwards in the game.

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But suitors do have a couple of things going in their favour. For one thing, Newcastle are not exactly the pinnacle of global football.

Isak’s talents deserve to be appreciated on the world stage and if the North East club don’t secure a Champions League place then it’s likely he will be asking to leave.

Newcastle interested in Delap

And although Newcastle were intending to improve his contract, which extends until 2028, the 25-year-old still hasn’t signed on the dotted line. If no breakthrough is reached then Newcastle will of course have to sell when his value is high.

So this deal might not be as impossible as it sounds. Particularly as Newcastle have been linked with their fair share of strikers in recent days. First was Emmanuel Emegha - the Strasbourg youngster who has the world at his feet.

Now comes the news in the Telegraph that Newcastle are interested in exploiting the £30m release clause in Liam Delap’s Ipswich contract.

However, the report does add the caveat that Delap would be expected to SHARE striking duties with Isak.

Newcastle 'soft launch' Isak sale?

“Delap would be a different sort of offensive option for Newcastle alongside main striker Alexander Isak,” it says.

“As well as being able to rotate their strike force if Delap signs, there is a view that Isak and Delap could play alongside each other.”

Hmm. It’s not very likely that Delap will swap the prospect of first-team football elsewhere - for example Manchester United - for a bench role at Newcastle.

More likely, this report is a soft launch for the idea that Newcastle will sign a forward and, eventually, Isak will be off. That in turn should encourage Liverpool, among others, who have got Isak in mind this summer.

If the Reds can bank decent fees for Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota - as well as some fringe players - then the initial fee paid to Newcastle wouldn’t feel so huge.

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But the prospect of Newcastle signing a high-class forward should be taken as a signal they are readying themselves for life without Isak.