Top News

Alexander Isak will be "fuming" at Liverpool struggling to get a deal done, it's been claimed. The striker's future remains up in the air after the wantaway Newcastle star missed their Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday, as he continues to push for a move to Anfield.

The 25-year-old has been training separately from the Toon's first team after he sat out the club's pre-season tour of Asia. While it's been reported that Isak has declared he will not play for Newcastle again, Eddie Howe has kept the possibility open.

Liverpool's initial bid of £110million for the player was swiftly rejected and they have yet to return with an improved offer. It's understood Newcastle are eager to bring in new strikers before considering letting Isak leave.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news: Alexander Isak's situation is 'quite complex' as exit nears

READ MORE: Liverpool stars rally around Ryan Gravenberch as team-mate and partner issue family update

The Swede has been slammed by the club's fans over his attempt to force the issue as they appeared to aim a chant of "there's only one greedy b******" at him during the goalless draw at Villa Park. And former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes Liverpool are partly to blame for the toxic situation.

The ex-Wrexham shot-stopper claims the reigning Premier League champions will have played a role in encouraging Isak to kick up a fuss via his agent. Foster said the way Isak has handled the situation makes the Reds his only option, having burnt his bridges on Tyneside.

Speaking on the Fozcast podcast, Foster said: "He has to go to Liverpool, because I think that's probably the only team that will have him now.

"Isak's going to be fuming as well, because guaranteed that somebody from Liverpool has got in touch with his agent and gone, 'We want you here, hand in a transfer request or kick up a fuss and we'll sign you.' But they still haven't signed him.

"I think he just needs to take accountability for it all and he needs to come out with a statement. He needs to be open and honest with people. Liverpool are also aware that he's finished at Newcastle. They're not really going to be willing to up their offer any more."

Anthony Gordon played as a false nine in Isak's absence against Villa, with Newcastle failing to score. Attacking reinforcements remain a possibility before deadline day, with Yoane Wissa and Goncalo Ramos both on their radar.

Meanwhile, Foster thinks the animosity towards Isak from Newcastle supporters will ultimately force the move through. The former England international described the saga as "horrible" and called for a resolution to be reached as soon as possible.

He added: "Newcastle fans are different. This is in their blood and he’s besmirched them. He's in the mud, he's done and he cannot play for Newcastle ever again, but he's got the required result.

"The club has seen that [fans chanting] at the end of the game and gone, 'We just need to get him sold.' It's a horrible way to go about it, but that's modern day football and it's the way that they go."

Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.