Newcastle launch move for £60m Prem striker as Liverpool ready decisive Isak bid
Newcastle United are reportedly among three heavyweight clubs pushing hard to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who carries a £60 million price tag, at a time when Liverpool continue to circle Alexander Isak with a blockbuster new bid in the works.
The future of Isak has been one of the most dominant storylines of the transfer window on Tyneside. Officially, Newcastle’s stance has not shifted: the Sweden international is not for sale. Behind the scenes, however, the situation is far less clear. Isak’s refusal to play for Eddie Howe’s side again has left the Magpies in an awkward position. There is a growing belief within the game that Newcastle will cash in if Liverpool can edge closer to their steep £150m valuation.
Sky Sports’ Keith Downie revealed the two key conditions that would persuade Newcastle to reluctantly sanction Isak’s exit. First, Liverpool would need to substantially raise their offer. Second, Newcastle would need to secure not one, but two strikers of their own to soften the blow of losing their talisman.
On the first point, Liverpool are understood to be preparing a fresh bid in the region of £120m–£130m. Their opening offer was £110m plus add-ons, but the Anfield hierarchy are determined to test Newcastle’s resolve. Jürgen Klopp is desperate to add another elite forward to his squad, and Isak has emerged as the clear number one target.
The challenge for Newcastle lies in the second condition. Finding reliable replacements has so far proven difficult. A £40m offer for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, seen as the long-term successor to Callum Wilson, was knocked back earlier this week. The Bees value the Congolese international closer to £60m, a figure Newcastle privately consider excessive. The Magpies are weighing up whether to return with an improved offer but remain wary of overpaying.
At the same time, attention has shifted toward Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson. TEAMtalk first reported earlier this month that Newcastle had explored a deal, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has since confirmed that interest. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano insisted Jackson is “fully expected” to leave Stamford Bridge before the window shuts, with a “crazy race” for his signature unfolding in recent days.
Jackson, who played under Unai Emery at Villarreal before joining Chelsea last summer, has long been admired by clubs across Europe. AC Milan were once hopeful of landing him but eventually settled for the cheaper Victor Boniface. Napoli have monitored his situation throughout the summer, but it is Newcastle, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich who have emerged as the serious contenders in the last 48 hours.
Each of the three clubs has contacted Jackson’s representatives to discuss the framework of a potential deal. For Aston Villa, the preference is a loan arrangement due to budget restrictions. That does not appeal to Chelsea, who want a permanent sale in order to reinvest. Bayern Munich certainly have the financial power to compete, but with Harry Kane entrenched as their main striker, Jackson would face an uphill battle for regular game time.
That dynamic could swing the race in Newcastle’s favour. At St James’ Park, the Senegalese forward would not only be offered regular starts but also the lure of Champions League football. For Chelsea, cashing in on Jackson now would help balance the books and open space for further additions. For Newcastle, landing Jackson would tick one of the two boxes needed to release Isak to Liverpool.
With just days left in the window, the saga is entering a decisive phase. Liverpool’s push for Isak, Newcastle’s scramble for reinforcements, and Chelsea’s willingness to sell Jackson all combine into what promises to be a dramatic end to the transfer period.