Richard Hughes' plan to sign £130m Alexander Isak falling PERFECTLY into place

Liverpool are pressing on with their plans to sign Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker has not travelled with Newcastle for their preseason tour to Asia - waiting behind with what has been officially described as a minor thigh injury.

Isak, 25, has made it known that he does NOT wish to sign a contract extension at St. James’ Park - and would prefer to discuss a transfer away from the club as soon as possible.

Diogo Jota: Thank you

That is music to Liverpool’s ears - with the Anfield club well placed to make a British record bid for the Sweden international.

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The Reds have already landed Hugo Ekitike - Newcastle’s desired transfer target - and both could have a part to play under Arne Slot next season.

Liverpool make their Isak approach

Liverpool were first reported to have made an approach for Isak earlier this month but Newcastle at that stage remained steadfast in their refusal to do a deal.

The focus back then was for Isak to sign a new contract - with his current deal expiring in 2028. Isak earns around £120k per week - far beneath his market value - and his new demands have been quoted at £300k per week.

Newcastle couldn’t facilitate those wages - even if Isak wanted to stay - and so a parting of the ways appears inevitable.

The Magpies do not want to be stuck with an unhappy player on their hands and a bid of around £130m could help them restock others areas in the squad during what has been a washout of a transfer window.

This is playing out EXACTLY as Liverpool want it to

It is clear that Isak has been unsettled by the speculation and the best result for all concerned would be a quick resolution for a move to Merseyside. And the situation is developing nicely in Liverpool’s favour, according to a new report in Rousing The Kop.

“Did Liverpool know he wanted to leave when they made their approach earlier this month? Quite possibly,” a report reads.

“It’s going to be very hard for Newcastle to keep him now, it really is. The way this is playing out is exactly how Liverpool wanted it to.”

The Hughes - Howe connection

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has a long-standing relationship with Newcastle’s head coach Eddie Howe. They worked together at Bournemouth where Hughes was technical director.

Therefore dialogue should be conducted in a straightforward manner in the days and weeks upcoming.

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Newcastle need to get on with the task of finding a replacement - a harder task since Liverpool have already taken Ekitike off the list. Either way, this saga is ticking towards an inevitable conclusion - Alexander Isak is coming to Liverpool.

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