Arsenal
Liverpool have had a £110m bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle and don’t intend to submit a second supply for the striker on this switch window.
Regardless of long-held curiosity within the Sweden worldwide and his need to maneuver to Merseyside, Liverpool’s first formal supply got here in below the £120m advised when Richard Hughes, sporting director at Anfield, made an off-the-cuff enquiry over Isak’s availability a fortnight in the past. Newcastle worth their prized asset at £150m, a British transfer-record sum, however are reluctant to promote the 25-year-old, who was the second highest goalscorer within the Premier League final season behind Mohamed Salah.
Given how swiftly Newcastle rejected their supply, Liverpool take into account it futile to return with a second bid earlier than the switch window closes on 1 September. Their supply of £110m for the want-away participant stays on the desk.
Liverpool have been inspired to step up their pursuit by Isak’s stance following Hughes’ enquiry and the participant’s representatives. The membership have spent virtually £300m to date this summer season, together with a £79m deal to signal Newcastle goal Hugo Ekitiké. However with £190m recouped in gross sales since Hughes arrived in June 2024, plus wholesome revenues from their title triumph and return to the Champions League, Liverpool are ready to check Newcastle’s resolve to maintain Isak. Their present switch file is the £100m paid to Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz in June. That would rise to a British switch file of £116m with add-ons.
Isak didn’t journey on Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia. The membership attributed his absence to a minor thigh damage however the participant knowledgeable them that he needs to discover his choices this summer season, with Liverpool his most popular vacation spot, and has been coaching at former membership Actual Sociedad this week. It’s unclear whether or not Isak had Newcastle’s permission to take action. There has additionally been no progress on a brand new and improved contract.
Milner to put on Brighton’s No 20 shirt in Jota tribute
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James Milner will put on the quantity 20 shirt at Brighton this season in reminiscence of the late Diogo Jota, describing his former Liverpool teammate as a ‘nice good friend’.
The Portuguese ahead died aged 28 final month in a automotive accident, alongside his brother André Silva. Liverpool have retired the quantity 20 jersey worn by Jota at Anfield in tribute, and Milner has opted to modify from No 6 after Brighton teammate Carlos Baleba modified his squad quantity from No 20 to No 17.
‘As soon as I heard Carlos was trying to change his quantity and 20 was out there, I needed to do it as a mark of respect and pay tribute to Diogo Jota,” Milner stated. ‘He was a tremendous participant who I used to be lucky to play with and an awesome good friend as properly. Will probably be an awesome honour to put on his quantity within the Premier League this 12 months.’
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Isak, signed from Sociedad for round £60m in 2022, has three years remaining on his contract at St James’ Park. Newcastle have maintained that the ahead isn’t on the market however have been trying to signal different top-level strikers this summer season, to date with out success. Whether or not a breakthrough in Newcastle’s striker search softens their stance on Isak stays to be seen.
Eddie Howe and his nephew, Andy Howe, have been overseeing the membership’s recruitment this summer season after Paul Mitchell stepped down as sporting director and with chief govt Darren Eales because of depart on well being grounds. In addition to Ekitiké, Newcastle have missed out on strikers Liam Delap, João Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo, together with goalkeeper James Trafford, who rejoined Manchester Metropolis.
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RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is a goal however Newcastle face competitors from Manchester United for the 6ft 5in Slovenian, whereas Brentford have rejected their opening supply for Yoane Wissa.
