Liverpool are running out of time as they pursue a mammoth deal to sign Alexander Isak this summer.

The Reds have had their eyes on Isak having first signalled their intention to move for the Swede in mid-July.

However, with Newcastle desperate to keep hold of Isak unless they sign top level replacements, the deal is looking increasingly difficult to do.

After weeks of stalemate, there was big news in the saga on Tuesday, when Isak opted to release a statement during the PFA awards ceremony in Manchester.

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Liverpool were heavily represented on the night, with five current players having made it into the team of the season, and Mohamed Salah scooping the main award for a record third time.

But the big news of the ceremony was Isak’s statement that promises had been broken at Newcastle and his relationship with the club was over.

As the 25-year-old’s words hit the public sphere, they caused a reaction amongst his fellow professionals.

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Along with five Liverpool players (Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Milos Kerkez), Isak was named in the PFA team of the season.

However, as the other players stood on stage to receive the acclaim, Newcastle’s star striker was the only one missing.

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According to The Independent, it was mere minutes after the 10 players had left the stage that news of Isak’s statement filtered around the room.

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It’s claimed that a ‘ripple’ went around the place as people showed each other what Isak had done.

Having been alerted to his discontent, ‘more than a few’ players are said to have raised an eyebrow at Isak’s chosen strategy.

Perhaps predictably, Newcastle’s stance on selling Isak has reportedly hardened following his statement on Tuesday.

If they were unwilling to sell him before, it seems that they are going to make it virtually impossible for him to leave now.

Nevertheless, the ball remains somewhat in Liverpool’s court.

It feels that with Isak set on joining the Reds only, a new bid has to follow his first public acknowledgement of the situation.

Should Liverpool not come back with a second, improved offer to Newcastle, there was little point in Isak speaking out at all.

He simply can’t go anywhere.

In our opinion, Liverpool should truly test Newcastle and put down the £150m they have reportedly been looking for.

It is a lot of money to spend on a player who has had no pre-season and who has a worrying track record of injuries.

But at this point, the Reds badly need another forward and paying in full seems like the only way the Magpies will relent.


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