Huge fee for Isak could be hard to resist for Magpies

For Newcastle United, no news was good news. There was gossip, much of it tedious and tiresome, but no concrete developments when it came to Alexander Isak. They could reflect on Arsenal’s choice between Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko with some satisfaction: it is no secret that Isak has admirers at the Emirates Stadium but the Gunners accepted they could not get a forward who often scores against them.

- RICHARD JOLLY SENIOR FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT

The prospect, whether more of a possibility than a probability, of an offer from Liverpool would alter that. Any such bid would bring a decision that would define Newcastle’s summer; their season, too. For now, what can be said is that there has been no direct contact between the clubs. Newcastle’s stance has long been that Isak is not for sale, though Liverpool’s similar position when it comes to Luis Diaz has not stopped Bayern Munich from bidding for the Colombian.

What can also be assumed is that the fee would be colossal; Florian Wirtz’s status as Liverpool’s record signing may only last for a few weeks, while Andy Carroll’s as Newcastle’s record sale, which has stood since his 2011 move to Anfield, may finally be gone. Carroll cost a then British record £35m. Some would say Isak’s value is such that you should add a “1” in front of that.

There was some bemusement at St James’ Park a few months ago when £150m seemed the quoted number; Newcastle argued they had never put a price on their top scorer. Now there are mentions of £120m. Should anyone submit such a proposal, it ought to prompt a discussion.

Isak has scored 20-plus goals in his last two Premier League campaigns for Newcastle (PA)