Manchester United may be about to assist Liverpool in their long-winding pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak ahead of a grandstand finish to the summer transfer window. Liverpool want to add Isak to Arne Slot's attack, and the feeling is strongly mutual, but Newcastle are holding firm on their £150million asking price.
The word from St. James' Park is that the 25-year-old will only be allowed to leave if his asking price is met and a replacement arrives. Neither has happened yet. Liverpool unsuccessfully offered £110m last month, a bid that Newcastle almost instantly rejected, given the gap between valuations.
The Reds also played a part in the Magpies' struggles to sign a successor by luring Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike to Anfield in a £79m deal.
Benjamin Sesko also rejected a move to Tyneside, opting to join United from RB Leipzig for £74m.
Newcastle's interest in Brentford forward Yoane Wissa appears to be on top of their hunt for a new striker, so the 28-year-old's arrival may not change things.
But after snatching Sesko for themselves, United could offer the North East outfit an option that opens the door for Liverpool to finally get what they want.
For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express MUFC newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.
According to The Athletic, Newcastle join AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in the frame to sign Rasmus Hojlund before the summer deadline.
Sesko's arrival at Old Trafford has all but ended Hojlund's hopes of making it under Ruben Amorim, despite the 22-year-old's desire to fight for his place.
Amorim made his plans clear by handing him just 18 minutes of football across United's final two pre-season matches against Everton and Fiorentina.
Hojlund did not get on the pitch at all against the latter in Saturday's match at Old Trafford, which served as a damning indicator of his role this season.
For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.
In the aftermath, talkSPORT reported that the Denmark international's camp had reluctantly accepted that a transfer is on the cards after Sesko's emergence.
Should Newcastle offer him the opportunity to stay in the Premier League, Isak may get the green light to seal his dream switch to Liverpool.
The English champions are expected to return to the table with a second bid, and Newcastle's not-for-sale stance may soften if they have a replacement lined up.
