Second Liverpool approach for superstar winger rejected, as Isak plans shift

Steve Pearson 08 Aug 2025 1:18 PM

Liverpool have seen a second approach for an electric winger knocked back, with the Reds’ plans for Alexander Isak and their next major signing now clear.

Much has been made of Liverpool’s lavish spending this summer but upon taking a closer look, the club are offloading just as many players as they’re signing.

The forward line has been boosted by the arrivals of Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz who can play almost anywhere in the final third.

However, Luis Diaz has been sold to Bayern Munich, Darwin Nunez is heading to Al Hilal, Federico Chiesa and Ben Doak are up for sale, and tragically, Diogo Jota passed away.

As such, Liverpool could be perilously short on numbers in attack if not adding at least one more starter-level player to their ranks.

Alexander Isak is priority number one and a bid worth £110m plus add-ons has already been rejected by Newcastle.

Personal terms with the Swede have already been agreed on a verbal basis. Liverpool intend to thunder back in with an improved second bid if Newcastle open the doors to a sale.

But if Isak doesn’t wind up leaving St. James’ Park this summer, Fabrizio Romano recently revealed Liverpool have sized up PSG’s Bradley Barcola.

The 22-year-old is among the finest wingers in world football, though is often made to settle for a place on the bench in Paris.

Breaking into a front three consisting of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Ballon d’Or favourite, Ousmane Dembele, is not easy.

L’Equipe and reporter Sacha Tavolieri have also verified Liverpool’s interest in the France international. Tavolieri even stated Liverpool were seriously considering a bid of around €100m.

Romano stressed it would be Isak OR Barcola, and not both. And according to the latest from ESPN, it won’t be the latter.

They claimed Liverpool have made two approaches to PSG for Barcola – one earlier in the summer and one on Wednesday (August 6).

Both were swiftly rejected by PSG who have zero intention of selling. What’s more, ESPN also stated Barcola ‘is keen to remain’ in Paris anyway.

Isak or bust for Liverpool?

With that route seemingly closed for Liverpool, the expectation is their attempts to sign Isak will shift into a higher gear.

Liverpool are waiting for Newcastle to sign a worthy replacement for Isak, which is proving trickier than many anticipated.

The latest striker to reject Newcastle in favour of joining another club was Benjamin Sesko. The Magpies have plenty of alternatives in mind, with TEAMtalk revealing a concerted effort to sign Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is now being made.

Reporter Ben Jacobs recently stated only two options are in play for Isak at Newcastle this summer – either he signs a new contract or is sold.

Isak has no intention of penning fresh terms, meaning a sale to Liverpool is the likeliest outcome, assuming Newcastle finally land a replacement, of course.

Isak is valued by Newcastle at £150m, while Liverpool will have no qualms about paying £120m and potentially a little bit more. TEAMtalk has also been informed the Reds believe a deal can be made for £130m.

A transfer of that size would obliterate the British record with regards to arrivals.

That record was also set by Liverpool earlier this summer when signing Florian Wirtz for £116m.