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What do you get if you bring together those of either a Liverpool or Newcastle United persuasion who believe the Reds' pursuit of Magpies striker Alexander Isak is now over?

The answer, as you probably guessed, is an empty room.

Liverpool may have intimated they won't be making a second bid after their offer of £110 million was emphatically rejected by Newcastle on Friday, but nobody truly believes the sands won't further shift between now and the end of the transfer window on September 1.

The latest developments are more about public perception, shuffling for position and inviting observers to read between the lines.

Having missed Newcastle's ongoing tour to the Far East - ostensibly through injury, although reports have suggested it was the player's decision - and been training alone at the facilities of former club Real Sociedad in Spain, the 25-year-old is now returning to Tyneside to continue his pre-season preparations.

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Newcastle have long known of Isak's clear desire to leave - Liverpool his desired next destination - with attempts to persuade the player to change his mind having thus far proven futile.

While Isak still has three years remaining on his contract Newcastle won't want an unhappy player on their hands, particularly one of such great value.

It says much that Howe admitted he only found out about the striker's trip to Spain through reading it in the media.

Liverpool declaring, at least for the time being, they won't make a second bid for Isak could be construed as a message to Newcastle stating "so, you don't want £110m for a player who is seemingly avoiding you?

More accurate is they are taking a step back and seeing how matters develop between the player and Newcastle.

The suggestion Liverpool have "bottled it" from some sources on the North East is a little strange given the size of the offer would have instantly made Isak the most expensive signing in Premier League history.

But quite how much Isak is worth is an intriguing question.

Available to buy here.

While the talent of the Sweden international is beyond dispute, he has only ever made 13 appearances for a team who could be considered regular Champions League contenders when spending his formative years at Borussia Dortmund, a spell during which he scored only one goal.

Isak has just six Champions League appearances under his belt - one with Dortmund and the rest with Newcastle two years ago - of which three have been for less than half-an-hour.

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Of course, the player's form over the last two seasons - scoring 44 goals in 64 Premier League games and netting the winner against Liverpool in the League Cup final in March to earn Newcastle their first major domestic honour in 70 years - is why Liverpool made such a massive play for him.

That, though, is now over.
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