Liverpool's interest in Alexander Isak was - or rather is - entirely genuine. Newcastle United, at least publicly, have maintained that the 25-year-old Sweden international simply is not for sale. But when the Reds stepped up their efforts to land the striker earlier this week, it suggested they had had some private encouragement to the contrary.

Al-Hilal’s interest in Isak is no surprise. He has established himself as one of the top strikers in the world, and signing him would be a coup for the SPL club.

The Reds open their Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth on Friday, August 15 and will hope to have most of their transfer business wrapped up by that point. Liverpool lifted the title in Arne Slot’s first season at the club but they have not defended a top-flight title since the mid-1980s.

One name dominating the conversation is Alexander Isak, with Panenka LFC offering a fascinating analysis of why the Swedish forward is at the top of Liverpool’s shortlist. “If he’s not available, then they will turn to sign Hugo Ekitike.

The latest from St James Park as Newcastle United look to secure their second major signing of the summer transfer window.

Liverpool’s Isak Gamble and Ekitike’s RiseThe drawn-out saga surrounding Alexander Isak continues to hover over Liverpool’s summer rebuild. Newcastle remain determined to hold firm, pricing

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle values Isak at £150 million ($201.2M), a far cry from the £120 million ($161M) Liverpool appears willing to pay for him. Should Newcastle receive its full valuation for Isak, it would be a record transfer fee for a player at a British club.