Newcastle are willing to sell Alexander Isak on deadline day but accept that two of their transfer targets are likely to stay put, leaving them to look elsewhere for a striker
Newcastle accept that two of their recent transfer targets – Yoane Wissa and Jorgen Strand Larsen – are unlikely to move despite them now being willing to sell Alexander Isak on deadline day.
The Magpies had claimed that they would not entertain offloading the Swede, despite the striker pushing for the exit door, but have now changed their stance and will welcome his exit if they receive a bid of £130million from Liverpool.
Newcastle are keen to bring in a striker if they do sell Isak, but have come round to the fact that Wissa and Larsen are unlikely to move to St James’ Park, reports the Telegraph. Eddie Howe’s side have made bids for both players, but neither have been accepted.
Wissa enjoyed an impressive year with Brentford last term, scoring 20 times, and had been keen to move on, even taking aim at the Bees on social media for refusing to facilitate any move to St James’ Park. Their interest in Larsen is more recent, but Wolves have rejected bids for the Norwegian.
Newcastle have managed to complete the £69m club record signing of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart. That move was significant as they had failed to land a number of their attacking targets throughout what has been a frustrating summer.
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Those in the north east were keen on Joao Pedro before he moved from Brighton to Chelsea. They also expressed an interest and put in a bid to land Benjamin Sesko before Manchester United came to the party, eventually winning the race for the Slovenian.
Howe is yet to see Newcastle win this season – drawing at Aston Villa and Leeds – which sandwiched a late loss to Liverpool. He admits he’s still optimistic that more deals can be struck with Woltemade and Anthony Elanga their only major recruits so far this summer.
The Magpies boss said: “Being the manager you are always hopeful that you can maybe add one more that can make a difference. But I am really happy with the work we have done so far and I think we are a lot stronger than last season. Fingers crossed we might be able to do some more.”
He also added: “We are really looking forward to having that clarity on what our squad looks like and then of course the noise around us couldn’t have been easy for the players to deal with throughout pre-season either. Once we have clarity we will move forward and I’m sure we will do really well this year.”
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