The 2025 summer transfer window is only two weeks away, but the next 24 hours could be decisive for one of the last major deals in the Premier League.
Liverpool are trying to bring Alexander Isak to Anfield from Newcastle after the first offer was rejected. At this time, the "Magpies" are forced to recalculate their personnel plan and urgently find an alternative to their main striker.
If they want to sign Isak, Liverpool are likely to break their Premier League transfer record. Before that, the £116 million figure had helped them convince Bayer Leverkusen to release Florian Wirtz.
Newcastle dropped Isak from the squad for the goalless draw with Aston Villa, amid signs the Swedish striker was denied playing.
This further highlights the "Magpies"' urgent need for a new striker, whether it is keeping Isak's degree or spending heavily to find a replacement for the number one star last season.
Brentford striker Yoane Wissa is the name being closely followed by Eddie Howe's team. And he was not present in the match last weekend.
Previously, the £35 million price was considered enough to recruit the Congo national team, but according to British media, this figure has now increased to at least £50 million.
Newcastle could close the transfer window by adding two new strikers, after parting ways with Callum Wilson on a free transfer. Goncalo Ramos, who just scored for Paris St-Germain in the French Super Cup, is also on their list of options.
However, the Wissa deal is seen as a decisive factor for Isak's future. According to many sources, if Newcastle cannot recruit the 28-year-old striker, Isak will likely continue to stick with St James' Park. The next 24 hours are considered a key period of time to decide.
"It's difficult to answer at the moment. I just hope everything will be resolved soon, because this is a topic that has always surrounded us over the past time.
The players tried their best to overcome and play well. We need to continue like that, face the pressure and not let the criticism rock our heads," Eddie Howe said when asked about Isak's future.
Newcastle's next match will take place at St James' Park, where they will face Liverpool. Eddie Howe shared: "The matches against Liverpool are always special, history has been deeply imprinted in this club. We are looking forward to this match and know how strong they are."
Arne Slot's side did not show any signs of lacking attacking options when they beat Bournemouth, with four different players scoring.
However, there are still gaps in the Liverpool squad. Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez left in the summer of 2025 to help The Kop have a budget to chase Isak.
Federico Chiesa - one of the four players who scored in this match - had his first goal in the Premier League. In response to the rumors of the Italian's departure, Arne Slot affirmed: "As long as he is here, he will definitely stay at Liverpool. And I have no reason to believe that will change.
For Isak, after 3 years at Newcastle, scoring 62 goals and helping the team win the Carabao Cup last season, he seems to have achieved the goal he set.
Isak's development has been much faster than the club. The Swedish striker is in the position of one of the best strikers in Europe, while the Magpies are not good enough to be considered a force.
