Craig Hope says what he’s been ‘told’ about Liverpool as Newcastle United aim for Yoane Wissa deal

Newcastle United Struggling to Keep Hold of Alexander Isak Amid Liverpool Interest and Striker Search

Newcastle United’s transfer window has been defined by both progress and turbulence, with the club simultaneously fending off growing interest in Alexander Isak while attempting to recruit a new striker before the market closes.

 

Although the Magpies have pulled off some smart pieces of business this summer, the biggest and most dramatic storyline surrounding the club has been the uncertain future of their star forward. Isak, who only last season cemented himself as one of the Premier League’s deadliest strikers, has made it clear that he wants to leave Tyneside.

 

This revelation came as a shock to Newcastle supporters. When the summer window opened, there had been little suggestion that the Swedish forward was unsettled. The 25-year-old had just come off an exceptional campaign, scoring 23 goals in the Premier League and playing a pivotal role in helping Eddie Howe’s side lift the Carabao Cup with a memorable win over Liverpool at Wembley. Those achievements not only reinforced his importance to the team but also strengthened his status among fans, many of whom had begun to view him as a modern club icon.

 

Yet, despite his heroics, Isak’s desire to move on has divided opinion within the fanbase. Some remain adamant that Newcastle should fight to keep him at all costs, while others—angered by his decision to push for an exit—believe that the time might be right to cash in. With Callum Wilson already departing for West Ham United following his release, Newcastle’s priority has become finding one striker to replace him and potentially another should Isak get his wish to leave.

 

One of their top targets is Brentford forward Yoane Wissa. Like Isak, Wissa has found himself training away from his club’s first-team squad after expressing a desire to leave. However, Brentford have responded by hiking up their asking price, with figures as high as £60 million now being quoted. That valuation complicates Newcastle’s pursuit, especially with the club already operating under financial pressure and mindful of Profit and Sustainability Rules.

 

Amid this striker chase, journalist Craig Hope has shed light on the situation, noting that Liverpool are closely monitoring developments. The Merseyside club, who have long admired Isak, have already tested Newcastle’s resolve with a £110 million bid. That offer was immediately rejected, with Newcastle insisting that their prized asset is not for sale unless an astronomical offer—reportedly in the region of £150 million—is made.

 

Liverpool’s interest has not gone unnoticed by their fanbase, though some Reds supporters have speculated that Wissa might be lined up as Isak’s replacement. Those assumptions, however, appear wide of the mark. Sources suggest Wissa is being targeted more as a like-for-like replacement for Wilson rather than for Isak, with Howe determined to bring in a younger, top-quality striker to lead the line if his star Swede departs.

 

For Wissa himself, frustration seems to be growing. The DR Congo international has already wiped Brentford-related content from his social media, a strong indication that he has no desire to remain with the club. Still, Brentford’s tough negotiating stance could delay or even derail a transfer.

 

The outcome of Newcastle’s striker search is set to directly impact Isak’s immediate future. If the Magpies cannot bring in the reinforcements they want, they are unlikely to sanction his departure. But with Liverpool “watching closely,” the door has been left slightly ajar for a potential late move.

 

In the meantime, Isak has only added fuel to the fire by training away from Newcastle’s main squad. Reports even suggest that he has effectively gone on strike, refusing to engage fully in preparations as he pushes for an exit. The situation has reached such a point that he is expected to skip the upcoming PFA Gala, where his presence would have attracted intense media scrutiny.

 

For Newcastle, this summer has been as much about frustration as it has been about building. While they have added four senior players to their ranks, several other targets have turned them down in favor of rival Premier League clubs. One painful example was Hugo Ekitike, who had been high on Howe’s wishlist but ultimately joined Liverpool instead—a move that only deepened tensions between the two clubs.

 

Liverpool, in fact, have been something of a thorn in Newcastle’s side throughout the window. Even if they fail to secure Isak’s signature, their pursuit has already disrupted Newcastle’s plans, unsettling the striker and leaving Howe with an unwanted headache just weeks before the season settles into full swing.

 

With Isak still under contract at St James’ Park for another three years, Newcastle technically hold all the cards. Yet the forward’s reluctance to play and his clear push for a move leave the Magpies in an unenviable position. Whether they bend under the pressure of a huge Liverpool offer or dig in to preserve their attacking talisman, one thing is clear: the Alexander Isak saga is set to dominate headlines right until the final day of the window.