Potential Liverpool striker REFUSES to play until transfer happens

One of Liverpool's potential summer signings has made a bold decision. He refuses to play for his current club until a transfer happens.

Liverpool are in the market for a new striker but it's not an easy one. Their principle target, Alexander Isak, might literally be unobtainable.

READ MORE: Liverpool in pole position for £120m striker deal

Newcastle United are in no mood to sell their star asset. There's an 'asking price' of around £150m but the Magpies would probably reject such an offer right now.

Ultimately, they're not sure if they want to sell at all. Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League gave them the money and position to keep Isak, if they want.

And that leaves Liverpool considering other options. Hugo Ekitike is on that list, as is Benjamin Sesko. Joao Pedro was supposedly on there with him, but it appears he'll now join Chelsea.

Then there's Viktor Gyokeres. Liverpool apparently joined the 'race' for him last week - and it's taken a very interesting turn.

READ MORE: Liverpool defender closer to agreement over new deal

Viktor Gyokeres is fuming

Fabrizio Romano and Record report that Gyokeres does not want to play for Sporting CP again. This comes after quotes from Sporting president, Frederico Varandas, who suggested they might not sell the Swede after all.

Gyokeres, however, feels he was promised an exit last summer. Sporting see the kinds of prices being thrown around, though (primarily by Manchester United, we should say) and believe their star player should be going for an absolute fortune.

Honestly, both sides are right. Gyokeres should be sold if he was promised that, but Sporting will feel aggrieved if players not on his level are going for substantially more.

As for Liverpool, we believe this will kill any real chance of Gyokeres heading to Anfield. The only chance is that he's the best value-for-money striker on the market and Sporting's position essentially ends that chance.

READ MORE: Club FINALLY willing to pay Liverpool's Darwin Nunez asking price

Unless, of course, Gyokeres truly will not play for them and he's still there in August. Then perhaps Liverpool can find a genuine bargain - but we'd like to think that they've signed someone by then, Isak or not.