Newcastle have shortlisted four reserve strikers in the event of having to sell Alexander Isak. The Magpies are preparing to accept offers, after the news that the 25-year-old striker wanted to leave St James' Park.
Isak's decision came after Liverpool expressed their desire to sign the Swedish player for a record £120 million. Newcastle immediately responded by asserting that Isak was not for sale, and Liverpool quickly shifted to Hugo Ekitike - a goal that the "Magpies" also wanted to sign.
Despite completing a £79 million deal with Eintracht Frankfurt to sign Ekitike, the Reds have shown special interest in Isak. While coach Eddie Howe is still confident that his star will stay, Newcastle are preparing backup plans. This could have a domino effect on the Premier League transfer market.
British media revealed that the four strikers Newcastle are considering include Nicolas Jackson, Ollie Watkins, Yoane Wissa and Benjamin Sesko.
Eddie Howe's side offered Wissa a £25m offer, but were immediately rejected by Brentford. Meanwhile, Watkins and Jackson are also on the shortlist for Man United as they are also targeting a new striker.
Sesko had negotiated to join Arsenal this summer before the "Gunners" decided to recruit Viktor Gyokeres and it was finalized.
Wissa scored 19 Premier League goals last season for Brentford and has 12 months left on his contract. The 28-year-old is trying to find a way out. Watkins, meanwhile, has also affirmed his ability in the Premier League with 75 goals and 34 assists after 184 matches for Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Jackson has lost his Chelsea position after the team spent £30 million on Liam Delap and £60 million on Joao Pedro. In contrast, Sesko is still a valuable asset of RB Leipzig, the team that is expected to demand a fee of about 70 million pounds for him.
At a press conference in Singapore last weekend, Howe received many questions about Isak's future. When asked if the Swedish striker would stay, Howe replied: "I said after the game against Celtic that I really hoped he would stay, and I believe that would happen.
Currently, I do not see any reason to change that view. However, football is like that, who knows what the future will be like? financially, we are in a very strong position.
We are determined to succeed and full of ambition. A great season is ahead, and we need to add strength as well as continue to improve. The journey will continue, and that is what we all want".
