Liverpool ‘watching closely’ as rival struggles with £40m transfer

Liverpool have got a close eye on as their rivals struggle to complete a £40m transfer. This one could change the Reds' plans.

Liverpool are not finished in this transfer window with under two weeks left to go. That's despite spending and receiving record amounts over the last two months.

But as always, certain things come down to the wire. One of those is the future of Alexander Isak, currently at Newcastle United.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

It's no secret to anyone that Liverpool want to sign Isak. He's been at the top of their shortlist since the start of the year and their ultimate addition this summer.

Newcastle, however, don't want to sell. The only way this deal gets done is if they feel they have to and Isak is doing all he can to force their hand there.

The Swede isn't training with his team, nor did he participate in any of their pre-season fixtures. The Newcastle fans chanted against him in their 0-0 at Aston Villa to kick-off the Premier League season, too.

But while it looks as though Newcastle will sell, there's a problem: a replacement.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas away range

Liverpool watching closely

Newcastle have actually lost both their striker options this summer. Callum Wilson left with the end of his contract, long before the Isak situation turned sour.

It means the Magpies faced Villa without any strikers. That's situation that needs to change as they feel it's impossible to sell Isak without some sort of replacement.

But about that...

Newcastle want to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford but that one now looks unlikely. As The Chronicle explain, the Bees have a £60m price-tag on the striker but they're only receiving offers around £40m.

Newcastle don't want to pay more than that. Journalist Craig Hope says this was seen as 'the banker' for the Magpies - the guaranteed signing that would allow them to move forward on a deal for Isak.

"Isak’s future is directly to any striker coming in (or not)," he wrote on Twitter.

"Wissa has been seen as the banker for a few weeks, which is why NUFC have waited.

"If Wissa does not happen, the chances of Isak going reduce dramatically.

"Liverpool are watching closely, I’m told."

Now exactly a shock that Liverpool would 'watch closely'. Newcastle's failure to sign any striker threatens to end any deal for the Reds' top target - a situation that felt impossible.

How do you, as a UEFA Champions League side, fail to sign a striker at all across a transfer window? That's the situation, though, and it's one that might leave absolutely nobody with what they actually want.

**🔴 **Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range 🔴

Liverpool considering 12 MORE transfers before deadline

Liverpool ready with offer for ANOTHER €100m forward

Manchester City in ‘final stages’ to sign Liverpool midfielder