‘Consider his options’: Newcastle’s brutal blow as two rivals line up for marquee star — Transfer Wrap

Alexander Isak has reportedly told Newcastle he wants to explore a move away as the club confirmed he was not part of the squad travelling to Asia for pre-season friendlies.

The Daily Mail said that Newcastle bosses “are aware of Isak’s wish to consider his options this summer”.

Sky Sports, meanwhile, is reporting the club have begun initial enquiries into signing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko should their marquee man depart.

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Sesko has previously been targeted by Arsenal, while Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is also on Newcastle’s wishlist.

According to Sky Germany’s Philipp Hinze, Leipzeg are requesting a fee of £69.7 million ($142m AUD) for their striker, and are in no rush to sell.

“Leipzig are relaxed: either they sell Sesko for a large sum, or they keep one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga in their own squad,” he said.

It came after the Saudi-owned Premier League club Izak would miss the Asia tour “with a minor thigh injury”.

Isak’s 23 Premier League goals last season made him one of the world’s hottest properties and he has been linked with English champions Liverpool.

The Mail said Liverpool were still interested in acquiring the Sweden international despite announcing the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, according to the Independent, Chelsea are also considering a move to poach the Newcastle gun.

Alexander Isak could be on the move. Source: Getty Images

Ekitike’s arrival in Merseyside, for a reported initial fee of £69 million ($141m AUD), takes Liverpool’s spending during the current transfer window to more than £250 million ($511m AUD).

Isak still has three years left on his contract at Newcastle, whom he joined in 2022 from Spanish side Real Sociedad.

He was left out of Saturday’s 4-0 defeat in a friendly at Celtic.

But Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said at the time he was “confident” that Isak would stay at St James’ Park, adding that he expected him to be part of the Asia tour.

“It’s difficult for me to give 100 per cent clarity on any player,” he said. “I’d never sit here and do that because it’s football and you never know what could happen.

“All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle. He loves the players that he plays with, the staff, the team.” Newcastle face Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday before flying to South Korea, where they will play a K League all-star team and Tottenham.

'I don't have anything bad to say...' | 01:05

SPURS PUSH TO SIGN BAYERN GUN

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in the market to sign former Fulham midfielder João Palhinha from Bayern Munich.

That is according to ESPN, who are reporting cross-town rivals Arsenal are also taking an interest in the 30-year-old.

Palhinha’s move to Germany hasn’t been smooth sailing, with the defensive midfielder falling down the pecking order under Vincent Kompany.

He reportedly is willing to right for his place in the Bayern line-up, however a move back to the Premier League could reportedly convince him to accept a transfer.

Talks are reportedly progressing for Spurs to recruit the Portugal international, with Thomas Frank keen on his services.

Tottenham reportedly are keen on a loan deal, while Bayern bosses are hopeful a permanent move can be negotiated.

Arsenal, meanwhile, announced the signing of Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, taking their spending during the summer transfer window close to £140 million ($286m AUD).

The Spain under-21 international joins for an initial fee of around £13 million, with performance-related add-ons, and is understood to have agreed a five-year deal with an option of a further year.

The 21-year-old, Arsenal’s fifth signing in recent weeks, is set to provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners’ defence, but can operate anywhere along the back line.

Mosquera, who played 41 times for Valencia last season, has joined Arsenal for their tour of Singapore and Hong Kong.

“It means a lot to me,” he told the club website. “There’s been a lot of hard work behind all of this.

“It’s an opportunity that came up and I couldn’t let it pass me by. I’m joining a historic, massive club. When you arrive here with your family, you really feel the greatness of this place.” Manager Mikel Arteta described Mosquera as “an intelligent player with good pace, who can play centrally and on both sides”.

Mosquera follows Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke in moving to the Emirates.

Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed.

Arsenal remain hopeful of signing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, although it is not believed a deal, which could be worth as much as £65 million, is imminent.

The Gunners, who have finished as Premier League runners-up three times in a row, launch their 2025/26 campaign at Manchester United on August 17.

England book place in Euro's final | 01:31

UNITED’S TRANSFER PROMISE

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim insists the club will not sell unwanted players on the cheap and he is prepared to welcome them back into the fold if necessary.

Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia were left out of the tour of the United States – Marcus Rashford subsequently went on loan to Barcelona – and the so-called “bomb squad” have been training at the club’s Carrington complex.

United’s transfer dealings have been widely criticised in recent seasons and Amorim said chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox would not be taken advantage of just to get rid of those surplus to requirements.

“Some players have to find a new place to have more space in the team and others clearly show they want a new challenge and want new teams,” Amorim told a press conference ahead of the Premier League Summer Series game against West Ham on Saturday.

“We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide. If we reach a point where they have to join the team, they will join the team because they are our players.

“I know for a fact that these people, Omar and Jason, and the club have a number (price) for these players. If they don’t reach that, they will be Manchester United players, no doubt about that.

“I understand clubs are maybe waiting for the last minute, but they can have a surprise and I’m ready. I’m ready to receive the players.

“They have more competition – if you want to play in the World Cup you need to play, so I’m really happy with that because I have more options. If they have to fight each other to play, for me it is perfect.”

United have spent about £130 million ($266m AUD) on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon but are still in the market for a defensive midfielder and a striker.

However, previous missteps on transfers mean United are being more circumspect this summer.

“At the moment, our club needs to be really careful when we sign a player,” added Amorim.

“So if we have to start the season with this squad, I’m happy because all the players that are here want to be here – and that for me is the most important thing.”

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