Liverpool Seeks Newcastle Permission for Alexander Isak Transfer Amid Squad Concerns

Liverpool's interest in Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak remains, but the club has yet to receive encouragement from Newcastle to pursue a transfer, as the North East club insists Isak is not for sale. Isak is currently away from Newcastle's squad amid transfer speculation, and Liverpool has made only a single inquiry so far, meeting a firm no-sale response. Former players have criticized Isak for reportedly showing dissatisfaction at Newcastle due to Liverpool's interest, suggesting he should either commit to Newcastle or move on. Liverpool fans and pundits are divided, with some arguing for prioritizing defensive signings over another forward, especially given recent injuries and sales of defenders, while others see Isak as a statement signing to elevate Liverpool's squad. Meanwhile, other Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Aston Villa are focusing their transfer priorities on specific positions such as elite left-sided attackers and right-backs, highlighting the differing strategic needs across the league. Liverpool's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed in a recent friendly loss to AC Milan, exacerbated by injuries to key defenders, underscoring concerns about squad depth in defense compared to potential attacking reinforcements.