Credit: Imago/Hasan Karim

Chris Smith

Mon 11 August 2025 12:00, UK

Liverpool increasingly look set for disappointment in their headline-grabbing bid to prise Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd sign Sesko, Baleba swap rejected, Newcastle's Isak u-turn, Liverpool latest	Alexander Isak made last-minute transfer U-turn after hearing from Real Madrid	Alexander Isak to Liverpool: Newcastle U-turn explained as striker transfer edges closer

Having already stolen Hugo Ekitike from under the Magpies’ noses, Liverpool then turned their attention to star man Isak, who has netted 44 goals across the two Premier League seasons combined.

Although the player is understood to be desperate for a move to Anfield and has effectively gone on strike to get a deal over the line, losing Isak at this stage of the window would be cataclysmic to Newcastle as they prepare for their return to the Champions League.

Newcastle are now understood to be digging in with their stance on Isak, who is considered not for sale under any circumstances.

Liverpool are being forced to U-turn on their number one striker target.

(Credit: Sport Pix)

Even when keeping hold of Isak, Newcastle look set for more frustration at the hands of Liverpool, who look to be pulling another Ekitike move with Yoane Wissa.

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The DR Congo international has hit his stride in the last two seasons, netting 31 Premier League goals since the start of the 2023/24 season.

Wissa stands almost half a foot smaller than Ekitike, so won’t offer you the same sort of physical presence.

However, he hit the target with 45.6% of his shots in the Premier League last season (FBref), scoring his 19 goals from just 45 shots on target, proving just how clinical he is.

Newcastle had a bid of £25million rejected for Wissa earlier this window, but according to Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke, the Bees are open to negotiating — despite losing top scorer Bryan Mbeumo, captain Christian Norgaard, goalkeeper Mark Flekken and manager Thomas Frank already this summer.

Given Liverpool were prepared to spend well over £100m on Isak, they should be good to pay whatever Brentford are asking for Wissa.

Jean-Philipp Mateta’s 2024/25 stats (Credit: Imago)

In contrast to Wissa, Jean-Philippe Mateta stands at just under 6ft 3? tall and thrives as a lone striker thanks to his height, physical build and close control.

The Frenchman initially struggled at Palace but has been sensational under Oliver Glasner, netting 30 goals in 59 appearances across all competitions since the Austrian was hired — helping the Eagles win the FA Cup last season.

Mateta’s skillset would make him the perfect focal point for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz and could provide them with exactly what was expected of — but not delivered by — Darwin Nunez.

But most attractive about Mateta is the fact that he has just one more year remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park, and despite Palace’s desire to get him tied down, the 28-year-old is yet to agree anything and could be considerably cheaper than Wissa.

Liverpool have a long-standing interest in Bradley Barcola (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

As mentioned, Liverpool have already signed Ekitike this summer, while Arne Slot also has the versatile Cody Gakpo at his disposal if further cover is needed up-front.

With that in mind, Slot might instead pour all of his attention into securing a replacement for Luis Diaz following his move to Bayern Munich.

Rodrygo is one name who has been heavily linked with Liverpool, but another is Bradley Barcola, and what a capture he would be.

Competition for places is intense at PSG, who also have the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kang-in Lee at their disposal.

But Barcola is among the very best of their options, registering 21 goals and 19 assists in 58 appearances across all competitions last season as PSG secured a historic treble and first-ever Champions League title.

Liverpool are understood to face competition from Arsenal in the race for Barcola, but they’ve held a long-standing interest in the 14-time France international.

He would be a supreme candidate to man the left flank for Liverpool, while he also boasts a record of six goals and two assists in 14 career appearances as an auxiliary striker, should that be required.

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