Liverpool transfer news latest: Alexander Isak update as timeframe of Newcastle United bid discussed

Liverpool are ready to bid for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak as soon as they are given any encouragement from the Magpies, Reds transfer expert David Lynch has reiterated.

The Reds will take on J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday, and fans will hope to see striker Hugo Ekitike make his debut for the club.

Supporters could also welcome centre-forward Isak to Anfield should the Reds' interest materialise into a transfer, though an official bid is yet to be lodged for the Newcastle star.

Lynch insisted that Liverpool are ready to make an official approach as soon as the Toon signal they would be open to offers, when he told Sports Mole: "My latest information on this is that Liverpool are waiting for the green light to approach Newcastle firmly and begin talks.

"Liverpool aren't going into this blind. They're going to have to probably break the British transfer record to sign Isak but they're fully prepared to do that. So it's a little bit of a waiting game at the moment.

"It's waiting for Newcastle to get themselves in a position where they say to Liverpool, 'okay, let's talk about it'. As far as I know, that hasn't happened just yet but there's a direction of travel there."

After signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee that could rise to a record £116m, the Reds are expected to have to come close to matching Newcastle's reported £150m valuation of Isak if they wish to bring the Swede to the club this summer.

When will Liverpool be given the green light to bid for Isak?

Newcastle have been credited with an interest in a number of forward players this summer, with the latest reports suggesting that the likes of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and Brentford attacker Yoane Wissa are key targets.

If the Magpies are to sell Isak this transfer window, then they will undoubtedly need to replace his output in the final third, and selling him prior to the arrival of new forwards could be risky.

Lynch argued that Newcastle would be willing to move Isak on when they have secured the future of their attack, telling Sports Mole: "It's clear what is happening, with this interest in Benjamin Sesko and interest in Yoane Wissa at Brentford too.

"Newcastle are progressing with that and hoping to sign those two and it's clear they don't want to have three strikers at the club. I also don't think Sesko is coming to sit on the bench behind Alexander Isak.

"Every Liverpool fan should be crossing their fingers that Newcastle can get deals over the line and at the point that we get close to that and they've got assurances from the players and they believe that the finances are there to get it done, then Liverpool will be allowed to make a move."

The Toon could face competition from the likes of Manchester United for Sesko, while Brentford may be reluctant to let Wissa go considering they have already lost Bryan Mbeumo.

Will Liverpool make an approach to Newcastle this week?

There have been suggestions that Liverpool could make an official bid this week, though it would be surprising if they made a bid on Wednesday given they play Yokohama F. Marinos, and boss Arne Slot will want to see how Ekitike looks in the XI without the distraction of a possible bid for Isak.

Additionally, with deals for Sesko and Wissa still unresolved, Newcastle may not be as receptive to opening offers from the Merseysiders.

Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch did not dismiss the possibility of a bid, but emphasised that much depends on the Magpies' business, saying: "Maybe Newcastle are closer to Sesko than we know, but the key, as I say - and I haven't been told that this is the case yet - is that Newcastle have to give Liverpool some encouragement.

"They're going to wait until Newcastle say that they're ready to talk about figures and that hasn't happened yet, or as far as I'm aware. For it to happen this week, there'd have to be progress for Newcastle and with the reporting around that, it doesn't seem like Sesko's made his mind up.

"These things can move quickly once they do move, so if we hear of a breakthrough with Sesko then maybe a bid for Isak won't be too far behind, but it doesn't feel like we're quite there yet. It might not be a firm move this week, but it's a wait-and-see situation."

If Liverpool wish to have Isak in the starting XI for their first game of the 2025-26 Premier League season, they will have to act sooner rather than later considering they play Bournemouth on August 15.

> Click here to listen to the full discussion on when Liverpool could make an official approach to Newcastle for Alexander Isak