Liverpool given HOPE in chase for Alexander Isak

Liverpool's chase for Alexander Isak looks to be dead and buried, but not all hope is lost yet.

The money is available for an approach to be made if there is any indication he may leave Newcastle.

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Currently, the Reds are more interested in Hugo Ekitike at Eintracht Frankfurt, because the Frenchman is far more likely to move, but we all know that Liverpool would prefer to sign Isak.

This isn't to throw shade on the 23-year-old striker, because he is a great talent. But you fear his fee has been inflated and the better value for money transfer would undoubtedly be for the Swede.

None of the journalists covering Liverpool's interest in the pair have decided to write off a move for Isak, and so any signs that he could still be open to leaving will be pounced upon. And we've got one.

Isak missing from Newcastle squad

The Magpies started their pre-season campaign in a match against Celtic on Saturday afternoon.

It marked the first of six games they are set to play before the Premier League season returns and after the events of the last week, many Newcastle fans might have wanted to see Isak in the black and white shirt to comfort themselves that he will definitely be playing on Tyneside this year.

But for this opening fixture, he was absent from the squad.

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The official explanation from Newcastle is that he is 'having his minutes managed', but he would only really have played one half of the game and he's not featured in a match for nearly two months now.

By all means, he could just be dealing with a knock and if that was the case, then playing him would make no sense, but it seems like a half-baked reason which could undoubtedly be twisting the truth.

So we're left open to speculate and given all the transfer news about his future, it's hard not to consider that he might be involved in conversations with his agent right now, feeling distracted.

As mentioned earlier, Liverpool's interest in Ekitike is ongoing despite a move for Isak still having not been ruled out yet. Both could arrive this summer or in future. The Swede may even be preferred.

But we also saw reports coming out that the clubs in Saudi Arabia are interested in Isak and an initial green light has been given by the player to discuss things with Al-Hilal, with talks ongoing.

In that context, it's clear that Newcastle fans are far from out of the woods quite yet. Right now, the speculation is being allowed to continue and moving forward, Isak is also going to be susceptible to rumours until he agrees a new contract where he is finally paid a wage that reflects his value.

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So those affiliated to Liverpool have more than a glimmer of hope. If it comes out that he's injured, then we would finally have a reason as to why he is missing from the pre-season activities, but the reports of transfer interest will continue to be sent out if Newcastle don't re-iterate their stance.

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