Alexander Isak will be the dominant story of the Premier League transfer window as Liverpool and Newcastle United prepare for one more battle.
Isak has missed the entirety of Newcastle's preseason, after initially requesting to be omitted from their travelling squad to Asia in July, and the saga has rolled on from there.
The Sweden international has since accused Newcastle of going back on a promise to sell him if a suitable offer arrived ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Magpies have rejected Liverpool's £110m bid earlier this month, and Isak's claims of an exit deal being pre-agreed, as Arne Slot prepares one final offer before the transfer window closes.
As the clock ticks down to the September 1 deadline, Liverpool are expected to reach out with a £120m [+add-ons] offer, as their final attempt to sign the 26-year-old.
However, the real power still lies with Newcastle, with Isak under contract at St. James' Park until 2028.
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Eddie Howe's side have struggled for goal since the start of the campaign, with just two scored from their opening three top-flight games, including a 0-0 stalemate at Leeds United this weekend.
A club record deal for Germany international Nick Woltemade has been agreed, with the striker watching on at Elland Road, but Howe's attacking concerns remain.
The original plan was to bring in reinforcements to support Isak, not as a replacement, but that has since changed.
Newcastle will not let Isak leave unless they can sign an additional forward to Woltemade with talks on Brentford star Yoane Wissa ongoing.
The DR Congo international bagged 19 Premier League goals last season, and is in a similar standoff to Isak with the Bees, as he remains out of Keith Andrews' squad.
Newcastle have seen two bids rejected for Wissa, as Brentford increase his asking price from £40m to around £65m, and the Magpies hierarchy will not pay that.
Wissa has now appealed to Brentford to 'keep their promise' and sell him which in turn should seal Isak's switch to Anfield.
"I've stayed silent for much of the summer, but with just hours remaining of the transfer window I feel compelled to make clear I want to leave Brentford. I believe the club are unduly standing in my way despite a series of fair offers throughout the summer," he posted on social media.
"I have always given 100% for Brentford since the day I signed in 2021. I'm proud of what we've built together and have never taken the opportunity to play for the club for granted.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Yoane Wissa releases statement asking to leave Brentford as he wants to join Newcastle.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2025
“Over the past few weeks, there has been increased speculation about my future at Brentford Football Club. As a result, I wanted to speak directly and honestly about exactly… pic.twitter.com/hcwG1ePbB2
"Earlier this summer, I held open discussions with the club’s senior management, including key directors and the new head coach. I made clear my intention to explore a new challenge.
"In these conversations, it was confirmed to me and my representatives the club would not stand in my way if a reasonable offer was received.
"Brentford have received a formal offer from another Premier League club and I communicated I wanted to leave. Yet as the window comes to an end, the club has now significantly changed its position, going against what was communicated. This has left me in a difficult and frustrating position."
Wissa's stance mirrors Isak's, but both Newcastle and Brentford are prepared to stand their ground and if the former does not move the latter looks set to stay on Tyneside.
Newcastle news and related links
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