According to The Sun (18/7), Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has decided not to sell Isak to Liverpool at any price. He supports manager Eddie Howe's vision of building a squad for sustained success, rather than selling key players. Al-Rumayyan also plans to make Isak the club's highest earner. The 25-year-old striker, whose contract runs until June 2028, currently earns $160,000 per week.

Isak (left) celebrates during the League Cup final on 26/2. Newcastle 2-1 Liverpool. *Photo: Reuters*

Liverpool have been pursuing Isak since early July. The Premier League champions were reportedly prepared to spend $160 million to persuade Newcastle. Enzo Fernandez currently holds the British transfer record, at $141 million, when he joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023.

Liverpool are looking to acquire a top-quality center-forward to bolster their attack. They also need another goalscorer following the death of Diogo Jota in a traffic accident on 3/7.

Isak is one of the Premier League's leading strikers. Since joining Newcastle in 2022, he has scored 62 goals in 109 games. In the past two seasons, the Swedish striker has scored 25 or more goals each season (25 and 27). Last season, Isak scored in Newcastle's 3-3 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League and also in their 2-1 victory in the League Cup final.

With their pursuit of Isak unsuccessful, Liverpool will now focus on their backup target, Hugo Ekitike, from Eintracht Frankfurt. The German club may accept a price of $93 million, including add-ons. Newcastle are also interested in Ekitike, but face stiff competition from the reigning Premier League champions. The 23-year-old French striker impressed last season, scoring 22 goals in 48 appearances for Frankfurt.

PIF, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund with assets of $941 billion, currently owns an 85% stake in Newcastle. The fund also owns four leading Saudi Arabian clubs: Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli.

Despite their wealthy owners, Newcastle are not yet able to spend freely in the transfer market. The Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules require clubs to invest only based on the money they earn. Clubs that lose money for three consecutive years face penalties, including point deductions.

Last season, in addition to the League Cup, Newcastle finished fifth in the Premier League. They will join Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, and Tottenham as England's representatives in the Champions League group stage. If they perform well and increase revenue, Newcastle may be able to acquire more star players.

This summer, Liverpool have already signed four new players: defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, midfielder Florian Wirtz, and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. The total transfer fees for these players are around $262 million.

Thanh Quy (via The Sun)