Newcastle take immediate action after Alexander Isak statement with new striker bid

Newcastle have returned with an improved offer worth £40million in total for Brentford's Yoane Wissa as they step up their pursuit of attacking reinforcements in the background of the Alexander Isak saga.

Isak, 25, remains an ambitious target for Liverpool ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline with the Premier League champions already seeing one significant offer for the Sweden international rejected. But with Isak releasing an explosive public statement on Tuesday night, it remains to be seen if he will still be a Newcastle player beyond this month.

The Magpies were already in the market for attackers following the departure of Callum Wilson earlier this summer and Wissa, 28, has emerged as a top targetfollowing his stellar 2024-25 campaign for Brentford.

And after seeing an initial offer of £25m rejected last week, Newcastle have now lodged an improved proposal consisting of £35m with a further £5m in add-ons as they bid to wrap up a deal for the DR Congo star. However, The Athletic report that said proposal has promptly been rejected with Newcastle still some way short of Brentford's demands.

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READ MORE: Alexander Isak to Liverpool transfer decision as Newcastle star left in 'no man's land'

Wissa is desperate to force a move and did not feature in their Premier League opener on Saturday. He also removed all Brentford-related content from his Instagram account over the weekend as the saga involving him and the Bees turns toxic.

Even if Newcastle are successful in their pursuit of Wissa, it is unlikely that his arrival alone would lead to Isak getting the move he desires.

In a statement shared via Instagram on Tuesday night, Isak broke his silence on the saga that has dominated the narrative on Tyneside this summer, insisting "promises have been broken" and "trust has been lost" between himself and the club. Newcastle, though, issued a response of their own and are prepared to stand firm on their £150m valuation of the player.

They said: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening. We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.

“We do not foresee those conditions being met. This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.”

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