Liverpool are running out of time in which to agree a mammoth fee with Newcastle United for Alexander Isak.

The Reds have identified Isak as their top target for centre-forward after agreeing to sell Darwin Nunez to Al Hilal.

However, Newcastle do not want to sell their top scorer of the past two seasons and are seemingly prepared to dig in to stop the transfer from happening.

The Magpies are trying to find a replacement for Isak, but have so far frustrated both themselves and Liverpool in failing to get a deal over the line.

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On Saturday, reports emerged that Newcastle have told Isak he will not be joining Liverpool under any circumstances this summer.

However, as a public relations battle plays out in full view of supporters, there is potentially a much more obvious reason why Isak’s move to Anfield is taking so long.

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Given the way Isak has behaved this summer, it feels very probable that he will not play for Newcastle again.

He can be reintegrated, of course, but it will not be easy.

The Swede stayed away from Newcastle’s friendly with Espanyol at St James’ Park on Friday and is likely to do the same when the Magpies face Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

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In some quarters of the Liverpool fanbase, a move has started to feel inevitable.

Clearly, Newcastle need to find a replacement, but that is arguably not the only – or the main – reason for their reluctance to sell Isak to Liverpool in particular.

READ MORE: Eddie Howe provides Alexander Isak fitness update as striker continues to push for Liverpool move

The Reds travel to face Newcastle at St James’ Park on just the second Premier League weekend of the new season.

That game comes on Monday, August 25th and would see a fast return to the north east for Isak if he is indeed a Liverpool player by then.

However, it is fairly clear that Newcastle will not sell to the Reds before this date.

They will not want to run the risk of Isak facing them so soon after his exit.

In fairness, if this has been discussed by those involved from Newcastle and Liverpool, it is actually perhaps in the Reds’ interest to hold off as well.

Of course, they will want Isak through the door as soon as possible, but given the good relationship between Richard Hughes and Eddie Howe, maybe an agreement has been reached.

To have Isak back at St James’ in two weeks time would be incredibly toxic.

While it would do nothing for the player, and Newcastle will want to avoid it for obvious reasons, it may also hinder Liverpool.

St James’ Park can be a tough place to go at the best of times, let alone on an evening kick-off for the first game of the season.

Throw Isak into the mix and it may just become impossible for the Reds to dampen the atmosphere.

Instead, while there are undoubtedly other factors at play here, we’d argue that this one glaring meeting between the two sides could well be having a bigger impact than imagined.

We wouldn’t expect anything to be sorted until just before, or just after the 25th.
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