Liverpool 'willing to walk away' from Alexander Isak transfer after Newcastle reject whopping £120m opening bid for Swedish striker

According to BBC Sport, Liverpool may be 'willing to walk away' from a deal for Isak after their initial offer was firmly rebuffed. Newcastle reportedly want around £150 million ($198m) for their prized asset, prompting Reds chiefs to question if a deal for the Swede is 'achievable' this summer.

Liverpool have held a strong interest in Isak for several months but are only registering their first official bid now, with no evidence as of yet to suggest the Magpies are open to selling this summer. This could hinge on whether the North East outfit can sign a worthy replacement amid recent interest in Benjamin Sesko, Yoane Wissa and Ollie Watkins, as report The Times. Isak has reportedly already informed Newcastle he would like to explore a move away from the club and has been training alone at Real Sociedad with reports stating he has 'gone AWOL'.

Liverpool have already spent around £265m ($350m) this summer and could take their spending above £400m ($529m) with the purchase of Isak. With multiple sales still to potentially go through including Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott, the Reds could end the window having received over £200m ($265m) in a very busy summer.

While these latest reports certainly throw a spanner in the works, there is a chance it is just a tactic by Liverpool to cause Isak to publicly defy his current employers and demand a move to Anfield. If Newcastle were to secure another striker it could help negotiations go ahead far more easily. It will make compelling viewing to see how this all plays out ahead of the final month of the transfer window.