'Very nice for Eddie Howe!' - Arne Slot congratulates Newcastle for signing striker Nick Woltemade ahead of Liverpool's new Alexander Isak bid

The Isak-to-Liverpool story has rumbled all summer, but this week it has shifted into overdrive. Newcastle rejected a mammoth £110m ($149m) opening offer from the Premier League champions a month ago. Now, Liverpool are reportedly preparing to smash through the British transfer record with an eye-watering £130m ($175m) bid in the final days of the window.

Slot refused to be drawn on specifics regarding the pursuit of Isak, but he did tip his hat to Newcastle’s business.

"Newcastle have signed a new No. 9 (Woltemade from Stuttgart) which is very nice for Eddie," he told reporters. "Newcastle, if it’s true, and I have no reason to not believe what you are saying, are about to sign a new No. 9. That’s very nice for Eddie as Anthony Gordon is suspended and Alexander Isak has not been training with the team, so it’s nice to have a new No. 9. I think I said after Monday, I could make a sub to impact the game."

With Woltemade's signing almost sealed, Slot hinted that the stars might be aligning in Liverpool’s favour: "As always we try to sign players to help us but there are no reasons to think after two games we need more. We will always try to strengthen if it’s the right player at the right price. There are only a few days left (of the transfer window being open), so let's see. There are only three or four days to go now, so let's see if we do something."

Amid all the transfer noise, Liverpool’s immediate attention turns to the pitch. They host Arsenal on Sunday in a heavyweight clash that could shape the early title narrative. Slot will be buoyed by the return of Alexis Mac Allister, who missed the trip to Newcastle, and young defender Conor Bradley, who has enjoyed a full week of training and may be fit enough to feature.