- Isak refuses to play against Aston Villa
- Sweden striker desperate for Liverpool move
- Liverpool have had £110 million ($149m) offer rejected
According to the Daily Mail, Isak, 25, has made himself unavailable for the Magpies’ trip to Villa Park on Saturday as the saga surrounding his future looks set to continue. The Sweden international had already told Newcastle he does not wish to play for them again after Liverpool had an initial £110 million ($149m) offer rejected by the St. James’ Park club, who insist their star man is not for sale.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will test Newcastle’s resolve with a fresh offer for Isak, who scored 27 goals in all competitions as Newcastle lifted the Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League in 2024-25.
Newcastle have failed to land several replacements for Isak in what has been a torturous summer for the club. Eddie Howe’s men made earlier attempts to sign Joao Pedro and Liam Delap but lost out to Chelsea on both occasions, while a £25m bid to sign Brentford striker Yoane Wissa was also rejected.
Winger Anthony Gordon is now likely to start as makeshift striker when Newcastle take on Villa on Saturday, whereas Liverpool get their Premier League campaign under way against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday.
