The frontman, who is currently at a pre-season training camp in Austria with his team-mates, still has three years remaining on his contract on Tyneside and the Magpies, who are trying to tie him to a new deal, remain adamant he is going nowhere.

Indeed, sources in the north east have insisted the club’s ongoing pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who has also been linked with Liverpool, is no indication they are seeking a replacement for the Swede, but rather a new team-mate.

Liverpool test Premier League rivals to sign mega-star at £120 million	Newcastle have now 'changed' their stance on Alexander Isak after Liverpool make formal approach - journalist	Liverpool approach Newcastle for Alexander Isak in £120MILLION deal - and have already lined up their Plan B if they fail to land No 1 target

But in the age of profit and sustainability rules – head coach Eddie Howe was forced to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh last summer to avoid a points deduction – a formal bid which would all but double their money inside three years might at least cause them to pause for thought.

His goals last season helped to fire the club into the Champions League for the second time in three years, and it was his strike at Wembley in March that effectively secured a 2-1 Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool which ended the Magpies’ 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have told Bayern Munich Luis Diaz is not for sale after rejecting a £59million bid.

Diaz is in the last two years of his contract and, while talks have not progressed over a new deal, privately Liverpool insist he remains an important player and interested clubs are being told that.