'Hasn't sparked': Ornstein shares what is now looking 'increasingly' likely to happen with Isak live on TNT
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Liverpool supporters are desperately waiting to find out whether they will be signing Alexander Isak before the summer transfer deadline.
Having been stuck in a standoff with Newcastle United for much of the past two months, the Reds are about to learn their fate.
There was positive news on that front on Saturday morning, as Newcastle finally announced the addition of a new striker.
Following a lightning fast transfer saga, the Magpies wrapped up the arrival of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart.
Among Liverpool supporters, the expectation has been that Woltemade’s signing would free Isak up to finally secure his move to Anfield.
However, with two-and-a-half days of the window left, there is a current uneasy silence over the Swede’s potentially record-breaking move.
Thankfully, journalist David Ornstein has been on-hand to provide an update, speaking live on TNT Sports ahead of Chelsea’s Saturday lunchtime clash against Fulham.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Liverpool fans have been rooting for Newcastle to sign a striker this summer, and in truth many had likely started to lose hope that it would happen.
But Woltemade’s move to St James’ Park has reignited that belief, and speaking to Darren Fletcher pitch side at Stamford Bridge, Ornstein says the ‘growing expectation’ is that Isak will join Liverpool.
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“Newcastle have now got their new striker and it’s come at a significant expense,” says the reporter.
They made the £110m bid and they haven’t come back in with a new offer but their interest remains firm and, crucially, he [Isak] is determined, we understand, to move to Liverpool and that hasn’t diminished at all.”
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Despite the positive noises, though, Ornstein also says that although time is running out, the move is yet to truly ‘spark into life,’ perhaps sowing some further seeds of doubt into Liverpool minds.
“Naturally, we could see this evolving before the transfer window closes.
“I’m sure there are things going on behind the scenes and we should find out a resolution soon.
“I think it’s looking increasingly like Liverpool, but still a lot needs to happen for that to take place, so you cannot rule out him staying at Newcastle.
But even at St James’ Park I think there’s a growing expectation now that a move to Liverpool could happen.”
Liverpool fans will be pleased to hear some confidence from one of the game’s top journalists that the move for Isak is still on track.
However, there is a clear word of caution attached to Ornstein’s update as well.
This is not anything like a done deal.
The main sticking point could yet be the price, but the fact remains that Newcastle are likely to need another striker through the door before we even get to that point.
The current state of affairs appears to be that the Magpies are still very much trying to sign either Yoane Wissa or Jorgen Strand Larsen before Monday’s deadline.
If neither are able to be signed, that could be curtains for Liverpool and Isak.