Eddie Howe’s latest comments on Alexander Isak will come as a huge encouragement to Liverpool in their pursuit of the Newcastle United striker.

However, the 27-year-old has dealt a blow to Isak if a move to the Emirates was to materialise, although it would now take a raft of sales to make a bid possible. With the No.9 shirt already taken by Gabriel Jesus, Gyokeres has opted to inherit the fabled No.14 in North London.

Man Utd still need a reliable No. 9 and there is none better than the potentially available Alexander Isak. Manchester United have improved the squad in key attacking positions so far this summer thanks to the acquisitions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

These factors mean that Isak’s value — around £100m, by consensus — might be affordable to some clubs. But the transfer landscape and Newcastle’s resolve means that his price — possibly over £150m — is borderline unreachable. Whether Liverpool or anyone else could and would be prepared to go that high remains unclear.

Liverpool have been very active in the ongoing summer transfer window. The Reds broke their club transfer record when they brought in Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £116.5 million.

Viktor Gyokeres' transfer to Arsenal is expected to be completed this weekend, with the striker due to have his medical - but Alexander Isak saga looks set to rumble on

Isak has made a transfer demand amid interest from Liverpool and has been left on Tyneside as Howe and Newcastle 's squad is now in Singapore for the first-leg of their preseason tour.

Saudi Pro League giants A-Hilal are ready to offer a staggering £600,000-a-week, tax-free contract to lure Alexander Isak from Newcastle, despite interest from Premier League champions Liverpool. Isak has been linked with a move away from St.