Newcastle reaches agreement to sign Alexander Isak replacement as Liverpool prepares second bid
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Newcastle has reached an agreement to sign Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart in a somewhat surprise development — and one which Liverpool fans will hope sets the wheels in motion for Alexander Isak to move to Anfield.
Isak has made clear his desire to quit Newcastle for Liverpool in recent weeks, and he has not trained with his current teammates since before the club's pre-season tour of China, which began over a month ago.
Newcastle has pursued a number of strikers this summer, including Liverpool new boy Hugo Ekitike, but it had not had much joy in the market — until now.
Newcastle has reportedly agreed to pay more than $90 million plus add-ons to land Woltemade, and the 23-year-old forward is reportedly viewed by the Magpies as a replacement for Isak.
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The North East club seemingly pivoted to Woltemade after it became clear that Wolves would not sell Jorgen Strand Larsen — a player who Newcastle saw two bids rejected for in recent days.
Newcastle is reportedly planning to continue with its pursuit of Yoane Wissa, who is viewed as a replacement for Callum Wilson, who left as a free agent at the end of last season.
Multiple reporters claim that Liverpool is expected to come in with an improved offer for Isak after seeing a bid of just under $150 million rejected earlier in the summer.
It has been suggested that Newcastle values Isak at closer to $200 million, but it is likely that the amount of money required to convince the Magpies to sell will lie somewhere between those two figures.
Liverpool is reportedly willing to hand Isak a contract worth around $400,000 a week, which is significantly more lucrative than the improved $270,000 a week deal that Newcastle was planning to offer Isak.
Alexander Isak could end up joining Liverpool after all
Brentford, meanwhile, is reportedly preparing a bumper offer to sign Maximilian Beyer from Borussia Dortmund, which could pave the way for Wissa to complete his move to Newcastle.
Newcastle has been working on a deal to sign Wissa for several weeks, and the player is keen on the move, having made himself unavailable for selection for the Bees.
Wissa did not play in any of Brentford's pre-season games and has not figured in any of the West London club's three games at the start of the campaign.
If Newcastle were to get deals for Woltemade and Wissa over the line in the coming days, Liverpool could end up signing Isak after all.