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Al Hilal have agreed a \u00a345.9m deal to sign Darwin Nunez (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\nAlexander Isak remains Liverpool\u2019s number one target as they look to sign a striker after cashing in on Darwin Nunez.<\/p>\n
However, the Reds\u2019 transfer policy of only paying what they believe is fair market value raises questions about his next move.<\/p>\n
Isak is training away from the first team at Newcastle United, a reflection of his desire to leave the club and pursue a move to Anfield. <\/p>\n
He was also not present at a player-family bonding barbecue on Wednesday morning, a footnote to a miserable summer for the Magpies.<\/p>\n
From the outside, it looks increasingly untenable, but senior sources at St James\u2019 Park continue to insist that he is not for sale.<\/p>\n
Al Hilal have agreed a \u00a345.9m deal to sign Darwin Nunez (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n
Last Friday, Liverpool indicated that they would not bid again<\/a> given the strength of Newcastle\u2019s rejection of their initial \u00a3110m offer for the Sweden international. <\/p>\n But interest remains and he is one of the few targets they have assessed that fit their recruitment criteria of being sufficient quality to start.<\/p>\n However,\u00a0The i Paper\u00a0can reveal that also on Liverpool\u2019s list of requirements for any target is that the player is \u201crealistically attainable\u201d and a deal would represent \u201cfair market value\u201d.<\/p>\n With Newcastle\u2019s valuation of Isak understood to be closer to \u00a3150m, whether they can negotiate a deal that ticks those boxes depends on who you talk to.<\/p>\n From St James\u2019 Park the message remains an uncompromising no, especially given the difficulties they have had in recruiting a striker. <\/p>\n Those in Isak\u2019s camp, however, believe applying pressure to the situation may force them to buckle.<\/p>\n But Newcastle are yet to make a breakthrough in replacing Callum Wilson, never mind the onerous task of finding Isak\u2019s successor, which was not on their radar at the start of the window.<\/p>\n A club record move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is on the brink of collapse<\/a> after he indicated a preference to move to Manchester United, the latest setback in a summer of transfer missteps.<\/p>\n The i Paper understands Newcastle are ready to move on to Chelsea\u2019s Nicolas Jackson, who they rate at around the \u00a360m mark, but there would need to be movement from the Blues who value him closer to \u00a370m.<\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s inconsistency last season means he would not represent a popular pick for supporters but he rates highly on a number of performance metrics<\/a> and there is a belief among many recruitment executives that he has a very high ceiling.<\/p>\n Newcastle maintain an interest in Brentford\u2019s Yoane Wissa, who they rate at \u00a330m, some way short of the Bees\u2019 valuation.<\/p>\n They have money to spend, and the departure of Martin Dubravka to Burnley and an imminent loan move for Odysseas Vlachodimos to Sevilla will provide more financial headroom, but are struggling to convince their targets to join them.<\/p>\n It adds to a sense of Newcastle\u2019s summer unravelling and the optics of Nunez moving to Al-Hilal, who are 60 per cent owned by the Magpies\u2019 majority owners PIF, are certainly puzzling. <\/p>\n Your next read<\/p>\n The \u00a345.9m fee for Nunez will help strengthen Liverpool\u2019s hand when it comes to brokering a deal for Isak.<\/p>\n PIF are a huge investment portfolio, of which Newcastle are a small part, and sources have always been clear that the club operates independently to the rest of their stable. <\/p>\n But inertia at St James\u2019 Park seems to have been damaging<\/a>, with no chief executive or director of football during a critical period for the club. <\/p>\n That will change imminently but PIF are yet to make a commitment on the club\u2019s new training ground or stadium, adding to the sense of frustration.<\/p>\n
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