Liverpool 'preparing new Alexander Isak' bid despite refusing to pay price tag

Liverpool are said to be preparing to present Newcastle with a British transfer record bid in an attempt to persuade the Magpies to sell Alexander Isak. The Reds have been chasing the striker's signature this summer, despite the fact they have already signed Hugo Ekitike, and previously had a £110m bid turned down.

Isak bagged 23 Premier League goals last season but then reportedly told club chiefs he wanted to move on and sign for another team. The 25-year-old missed Newcastle's pre-season tour of the Far East with a "minor thigh injury" but then told his bosses he had no intention on reintegrating with the squad. Even a meeting between Isak and the club's owners ahead of Newcastle's clash with Liverpool on Monday evening failed to yield the result the Magpies were hoping for, with Isak doubling down on his desire to leave the north east giants.

According to TBR Football, Liverpool's second offer will surpass the £130million threshold. And it might be closer to £140m depending on the add-ons included.

However, the Reds have no intention of paying the £150m Newcastle are currently demanding for the prolific goalscorer.

Newcastle are anticipating a fresh bid from Liverpool and are doing their best to bring in two strikers ahead of next Monday's summer transfer deadline.

Isak was absent for Newcastle's Premier League encounter with Liverpool, with the Merseyside team snatching a 3-2 victory courtesy of a late goal from 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha

That match followed Newcastle's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the campaign,

And after the Liverpool match, Magpies boss Eddie Howe admitted that Isak "would have made a difference in the two games." The ex-Bournemouth manager also explained that he was "not party to talks that have been happening," between the club and Isak.

Last week, Isak hit out at Newcastle on Instagram as he wrote: "The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

"When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now - and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."

And Newcastle responded in a statement of their own as they penned: "We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer."