Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak has “told Newcastle he wants to explore a move away from the club”, according to the Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope.

The journalist has close connections to the Magpies, so there is a good chance that this information is accurate.

It was announced on Thursday morning that Isak had been left out of Newcastle’s pre-season tour squad.

The official reason given is that the Swedish international is suffering with a minor thigh problem. However, it appears there is more to it than that.

What is Newcastle’s stance on Isak’s sale?

It is believed that the Magpies do not want to sell the 25-year-old but Hope reports an offer in the region of £150m from Liverpool or another club could lead to a deal accelerating “over the coming weeks”.

Arne Slot’s side have just signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m, but the Merseysiders are said to have room in their budget to go after Isak.

Liverpool will watch on with interest

It is undoubtedly the case that the Reds’ decision to contact Newcastle at the start of last week has unsettled Isak somewhat.

Whether that was the intention, it is not known, but it seems to have pushed the forward into pressing for a transfer away from St James’ Park.

A new contract for Isak might have allowed Newcastle to keep hold of the Swede but there are reports that he his demanding upwards of £300,000 a week to stay, which would break their wage structure.

At the moment, it seems there is a stalemate between the player and his club, leading him to signal that he wants to leave. It is definitely a situation to keep a close eye on.

In other news, Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool have signed a player who is “like Eden Hazard”