The future of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has taken an unexpected and dramatic turn.
Up until now, the Swedish forward had been heavily linked with a potential move to Premier League champions Liverpool. New Reds manager Arne Slot is reportedly a huge admirer and considers Isak his ideal signing, with rumors indicating that Liverpool are ready to break transfer records with an offer exceeding £120 million.
Despite the massive financial temptation, Newcastle have remained firm in their stance and are determined not to sell their prized asset this summer.
However, the situation has taken a surprising twist, with a new contender entering the race. According to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal have now set their sights on Isak, eager to boost their attacking options ahead of the upcoming season.
Al Hilal’s manager, Simone Inzaghi, is reportedly a strong supporter of Isak’s talents, and the club is said to be ready to table a significant financial package to persuade both Newcastle and the player.
While both Al Hilal and Newcastle are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, this shared ownership is not expected to pose any regulatory obstacles to a potential deal. However, Newcastle’s hard stance in rejecting Liverpool’s advances earlier this summer suggests that they have no intention of offloading Isak — even to a sister club.
What does this mean for Liverpool?
With Newcastle seemingly intent on keeping Isak, Liverpool are likely to shift their focus elsewhere. Their attention has now turned to Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike. The 23-year-old has attracted interest from several major clubs, including Newcastle and Manchester United, but is reportedly leaning toward a move to Anfield.
Although Liverpool have yet to submit an official offer, Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg has indicated that they are willing to exceed the £70 million bid previously rejected by Frankfurt earlier in the transfer window.
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