Alexander Isak set to fly out to Far East for pre-season tour after Liverpool transfer approach

Liverpool may be on the brink of signing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, but rumors persist about its interest in Newcastle United's striker Alexander Isak. The Reds have struck a deal worth up to $106 million (£79m) with the Bundesliga club, and the Frenchman is scheduled for a medical on Tuesday before finalizing his move to Anfield.

With the addition of Giorgi Mamardashvili, whose transfer from Valencia was agreed last summer, Ekitike's signing will push Liverpool's expenditure close to the $404M (£300m) mark.

However, Liverpool's dealings might not stop there, with potential further additions to the attack and a new center-back also on the cards. Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the futures of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Federico Chiesa, Liverpool is likely to need at least one more new forward.

But after committing to spend on Ekitike, it remains to be seen whether the Reds would then pursue Isak - who carries a price tag of over $160M (£120m.,

The Swedish striker's future is still uncertain, especially after he was omitted from the Newcastle squad for their friendly loss to Celtic on Saturday. Eddie Howe confirmed that this decision was made due to the ongoing transfer speculation.

Adding fuel to the fire, one of Isak's agents, Gonzalo Gaitan, stirred up further uncertainty and speculation by admitting they are considering 'all options' for the Swede.

"We are indeed studying and analysing all options," he revealed in an interview with Saudi Arabian outlet Arriyadiyah. "And we may be close to finalising the next step for the player, without revealing any details regarding whether Isak will transfer or stay with Newcastle."

The ambiguity surrounding Isak's future is largely due to Newcastle's hesitation to present him with a new long-term deal that includes a deserved pay rise, leading his agents to 'play the game' concerning his career prospects.

By keeping the situation uncertain, they're bolstering their position in negotiations over the Swedish striker's destiny, whether it involves securing the contract he desires at St. James' Park or landing a lucrative move elsewhere.

Examining Howe's remarks during his post-match press engagements after the defeat to Celtic, it becomes apparent that Isak's tenure at the club isn't as stable as one might hope.

Despite confirming that the Magpies haven't had a formal bid from Liverpool, Howe conceded that he couldn't provide absolute certainty about Isak's continuity and would only express his hope that Isak remains part of Newcastle come the season opener on August 16.

(Image: Alex Grimm)

"No, there's been no formal approach," he stated. "I think it's difficult for me to give 100% clarity on any player. I'd never sit here and do that because it's football and you never know what can happen. All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle. He loves the players that he plays with, the staff, the team.

"I've never had any issue with him other than I'm really enjoying seeing his talent and seeing him express himself. Certainly, I'm confident that he's going to be here at the start of the season.

"We have a few players like that who I think are irreplaceable. Your top players are so hard to find, they're so hard to recruit, they're so hard to develop and make them into those players.

"So when you have them, you need to treasure him. We certainly, on the staff, recognise his talent and his ability. We are of course desperate to keep him part of our team.

"It was purely the last thing Alex wants if he's not playing is to be sat in the stand. Being under that scrutiny, I don't think that's fair to the player. If he wasn't going to play today, which we agreed, mutually agreed that he needs a little bit more training time, then it's best he's not here."

Howe also confirmed that it was his decision to send Isak home, admitting that he had discussed the striker's future with him. "I chose to send him home," he said. "The last thing Alex wants if he is not playing is to be sat in the stand and under that scrutiny, then if he wasn't going to play today, we mutually agreed he shouldn't be here.

(Image: Getty Images)

"It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us, but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him. Both [Joelinton and Isak] are fit but not ready to play. Alex has trained and is fine but we didn't want to take the risk with him.

"Yes, I've had discussions with him, but that's not abnormal. I respect a player's career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he's trained really well and I realise there'll be noise around him."

Meanwhile, Howe confirmed Isak would accompany Newcastle on their pre-season tour of the Far East, with the Magpies preparing to head out to Singapore and South Korea. It comes after Liverpool's players flew out to Hong Kong for its own pre-season tour this week.

"Yes, absolutely. He's part of our squad," Howe said. "At this moment in time, I expect him to come. I'd never give a guarantee about anybody [staying] because I've been in football long enough to know I could end up looking silly. But, the desire from everybody to keep him is as strong as it could be. Fingers crossed that will happen for us.

=="I think for any player speculation's not an easy thing to deal with, and not an easy thing to understand, when you're fielding calls and messages from players and people asking you all sorts. I just want him to focus on himself and his training and being ready for next week."

Newcastle is gearing up for its next match on Sunday July 27, taking on Arsenal in Singapore, with subsequent fixtures against a K-League XI and Tottenham Hotspur lined up in South Korea.

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