Overview

• Liverpool lodged an opening offer of around £120m plus add-ons for Alexander Isak, which Newcastle United swiftly turned down
• The Magpies value the Sweden striker at about £150m and insist on securing replacement forwards before reopening transfer talks
• Isak has been training independently at Real Sociedad’s Zubieta facility after informing Newcastle he wants to explore an exit
• RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko is expected to decide between rival proposals from Manchester United and Newcastle in the coming days
• Financial Fair Play constraints and Champions League qualification ambitions are driving Premier League clubs to balance marquee signings with squad planning