Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Liverpool have since had a £110million bid rejected for Isak, who is training with former club Real Sociedad, the club he joined Newcastle from for £60m in 2022.

The Reds are currently not intending to make a second bid for Isak.

Arsenal’s Merino played with Isak at both Borussia Dortmund and Sociedad and cannot speak highly enough of the Sweden international, who speaks fluent Spanish, and how he acts as a teammate.

Speaking to CBS in 2021, Merino revealed how popular he was in the dressing room, saying: “I think he’s a great player.

I have the luck of being with him in Dortmund as well, we were there together for six months and when he came here to La Real I was really surprised.

Article continues belowMerino and Isak during their time at Real Sociedad together(Image: David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

“I was really happy to see him, and we could talk a lot about our time in Dortmund.

Right now he’s a big, big piece for us, he’s doing great he’s adapting really, really good here, everybody loves him in the dressing room.

“I think he speaks Spanish perfect, so that talks very good about him, the way he wants to adapt here, the way he’s so serious about his job and about not only football, but you know being a good teammate, being a professional.”

Following his move to Newcastle a year later, Merino struck a similar tone and knew he would be a success in the Premier League, telling The Athletic: "Alex has already started well.

He said: “I think from my situation, I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home.

Article continues below

“I was made aware there was a bid yesterday.

There are people back in England dealing with the situation.

“I really don’t know what is going to happen next, but from our perspective, we still support Alex in every way, and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again.”


For more news relating to Arsenal, visit our sister site AFC Latest Live.