Liverpool continue to hold off on making an official offer to Newcastle United for Alexander Isak, as he trains alone in Spain.

The Reds have made it clear to Newcastle that they would be willing to sign Isak if the door opens to an exit from St James’ Park.

However, since Liverpool‘s approach in mid-July, there has been little sign of the Magpies easing up on their ‘not for sale’ stance.

Nevertheless, Isak himself has been putting the pressure on his club to let him go.

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The Swede initially chose not to take part in Newcastle’s tour of the Far East, with rumours of a thigh injury seemingly erroneous.

And after Isak chose to use the facilities of former club Real Sociedad while his teammates are away in South Korea, Liverpool have been told that they could be on the way to a healthy discount on the striker.

Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images

If Liverpool were to prise Isak away from Newcastle this summer, the understanding has always been that it would only be for a truly enormous sum.

However, according to former England striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, the 25-year-old’s somewhat unprecedented behaviour could force Newcastle to apply a discount.

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“I’m baffled by it,” Agbonlahor told TalkSPORT.

“Liverpool may not be put off, but if you’re looking at it, at a player who’s maybe making it difficult for himself to get back into that Newcastle team.”

READ MORE: Michael Owen reveals his stance on Alexander Isak forcing through Newcastle exit to join Liverpool

“If you’re Liverpool you’re thinking ‘okay, £140m, maybe we can get less because he’s going to be an unhappy player, he’s not going to want to stay, his behaviour not going on the tour, now going to train at his old club’,” the pundit added.

“Two weeks before the season starts and he’s training at Real Sociedad’s training ground, with his old club?

It doesn’t make sense to me.”

Although Agbonlahor’s co-host Andy Goldstein did not appear to take the former player’s point, it is an easy one to argue for.

If Isak is not happy at Newcastle – and he clearly is not – then their negotiating position becomes weaker.

He is still going to cost a huge amount, but Liverpool will take any discount they can get.

In the meantime, The Daily Mail have reported that Isak is indeed making it very hard for himself to be welcomed back into the fold on Tyneside.

They claim that reintegration into the squad now looks to be ‘extremely difficult’ for the Sweden international.

As they plot and wait to make their move, that will be music to Liverpool ears.


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