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Exclusive with Graeme Bailey.

Newcastle United’s chances of keeping Alexander Isak at the club this summer are growing increasingly slim, Rousing The Kop can exclusively reveal.

Isak has become frustrated with the Magpies after they failed to deliver on what he felt was the promise of a new contract last summer.

That culminated in the Swedish striker informing Newcastle of his desire to leave on Thursday.

And after Liverpool signalled their intent to make Isak the costliest signing in British transfer history, a move to Anfield is becoming more likely.

Having already informed Newcastle of their readiness to make a big offer, RTK understands Liverpool are readying their move.



Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images

After Liverpool made an initial approach to Newcastle over Isak earlier in July, there were suggestions that the Reds had upset their Premier League counterparts.

The two clubs are known to have a good relationship behind the scenes, helped by the fact Richard Hughes and Eddie Howe are close friends away from football.

The respect between Hughes and Howe is understood to have helped matters in terms of Isak, and means there is little chance of the saga turning ugly.

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“Richard Hughes is going to be very respectful of Newcastle and Eddie Howe, he’s one of his best friends in football,” RTK transfer expert Graeme Bailey explains.

They’ve got so much respect for each other and it’s being handled professionally.”

READ MORE: How much Newcastle will let Alexander Isak join Liverpool for after striker submits transfer request

“I’d be very surprised if now knowing that Isak wants to leave, Liverpool don’t do anything about it,” Bailey adds.

“Did Liverpool know he wanted to leave when they made their approach earlier this month?

The way this is playing out is exactly how Liverpool wanted it to.”

With Liverpool having spent so much in the transfer window already, some question marks have arrived over how they could possibly afford to sign Isak as well.

Sales are likely to play a big part in this, and RTK understands that exits for Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez – as well as Federico Chiesa – are still expected this summer.

Liverpool have so far stood firm over Diaz amid interest from Bayern Munich.

Once both sales are completed, Liverpool will have no concerns at all over spending £120-£150m on Isak.
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