With Liverpool wrapping up a deal for Ekitiké worth a reported €95 million (£82.3 million, $110.5 million), the Reds appear to be out of the race for Isak this summer, while Newcastle’s mammoth price tag of at least £120 million ($161 million) drastically limits the number of teams capable of funding such a deal.

Isak was left out of the squad for the Magpies pre-season friendly against Celtic with manager Eddie Howe admitting he wanted to remove him from ‘scrutiny’ due to the speculation he may leave the club.

Alexander Isak has been the subject of intense speculation after Liverpool made their interest in the Newcastle forward clear.