NEWCASTLE finally named their price for wantaway striker Alexander Isak.
And they are willing to sell him on deadline day even if they don’t land another replacement.
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Newcastle have been determined throughout the summer to keep hold of the star forward.
They rejected a £110million plus add-ons opening offer from the Reds all the way back at the beginning of August.
That prompted Isak to go on strike, tell bosses he will never play for Newcastle again and miss every match so far this season – as well as launching a scathing social media statement.
He blasted: “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.
“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time.
“To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue.
“That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”
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Toon chiefs’ stance was that the Swedish international, 25, is not for sale – although a £150m figure would reportedly have been enough to convince the Saudi owners to part with him.
The club hit back: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak.
“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
“Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his team-mates.”
However, there has been a sudden change of heart with less than 24 hours to go until the transfer window closes at 7pm on Monday.
That comes after Public Investment Fund members and club co-owner Jamie Reuben visited the player at his home earlier this week.
It is now understood Newcastle would accept £130m for Isak.
And that could tempt Liverpool to go back in with an improved offer on deadline day.
If they don’t, the Magpies still hold hope of getting Isak to agree to a new contract with a release clause kicking in next summer.
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Isak to Liverpool transfer saga timeline
- JANUARY: First links to Liverpool emerge
- FEBRUARY: £150million record fee mooted
- MARCH: Isak denies Newcastle contract talk
- APRIL: Eddie Howe hails Isak as “very professional.”
- MAY: Howe insists Isak will not be sold
- Last match in Newcastle shirt
- JUNE: Transfer links to Liverpool heat up
- JULY: Flies with Newcastle for Austria training camp
- Left out of Celtic friendly
- Liverpool hijack Toon’s Hugo Ekitike deal after making Isak enquiry
- Doesn’t travel for pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, citing injury
- AUGUST: Training by himself at Newcastle
- Liverpool have £110m bid rejected
- Isak stops training and goes on strike
- Moves out of his apartment
- Releases angry statement blasting ‘trust has been lost’
- Newcastle respond by insisting he won’t be sold unless it benefits club
However, a further boost for the champions – who have also signed Toon target Hugo Ekitike this summer – is that The Telegraph claim Newcastle are set to accept a £130m bid even if they are unable to sign another striker.
The Toon spent a club-record £69m on giant forward Nick Woltemade.
But their chances of bringing in another – namely Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen or Brentford’s wantaway Yoane Wissa – appear to be fizzling out.
SunSport also revealed Roma and Ukraine striker Artem Dovbyk could be the subject of a £30m bid on the final day of the transfer window.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted after Saturday’s goalless draw at Leeds that he still “does not know” what will happen with Isak.
Howe said: “I don’t know. I’m not party to any talks going on.”
When pressed on whether Isak would be allowed to play for the club again if a move did not materialise, the manager added: “Yes, from my side I’ve said it all along. While he’s still contracted to us that has to be the way.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
In Isak’s absence, Newcastle have started the season with two 0-0 draws either side of the dramatic 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.
Their Champions League campaign begins when they host Barcelona on September 18 before facing the likes of Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen and PSG in the league phase.
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