'They won't sell': Craig Hope says Liverpool's hopes of signing Alexander Isak could be about to take a huge blow
The Alexander Isak to Liverpool saga is still dominating the headlines of sport, particularly if you float in the Newcastle United circles.
Nobody wants to read about it, but we can't help it, especially as it feels like it is all that is happening around the club right now.
Newcastle are said to be in talks for a couple of strikers to come in this summer, but with Brentford playing hardball over Yoane Wissa and all the rumours around Benjamin Sesko suggesting that he, for whatever reason, prefers a move to Manchester United, hope is fading that Eddie Howe will get his top striker in.
After Benjamin Sesko, the list of available strikers takes a huge dip in quality, to the point where it's unlikely Newcastle fans are going to be in awe of anyone that we manage to get in.
Newcastle will not sell Alexander Isak without a Plan B in place
With that in mind, Craig Hope has now said on his YouTube channel that he doesn't expect Newcastle to allow Isak to leave if they don't have another top striker in place.
“They’re still fighting. Benjamin Sesko hasn’t decided on his future, but my information is that there is a feeling that Manchester United might just be the player’s preferred destination.
“But then, because Newcastle do want him, the flip of all of that is if they can’t get Sesko and they can’t get that big ticket player that number nine to come in, well then they won’t sell Alexander Isak.
“It’s got to be on Newcastle’s terms, this has been a consistent message on and off the record from Eddie Howe and those above him, so I think tonight’s development increases the odds of Alexander Isak staying with Newcastle.”
Newcastle should go and unsettle some top strikers ready for some big bids
It would be football suicide to let Isak move to Liverpool without a suitable replacement coming in. Fans are already starting to panic about another relegation battle looking at what the squad is like now.
While we think that's a bit extreme, we also don't feel we have a squad that can compete on four fronts and come out with anything positive next season, not even a Europa Conference League place.
If Benjamin Sesko does move to Manchester United, Newcastle's only shot is doing a Liverpool and unsettling a top striker who wasn't for sale and hoping we can use silly money to make it happen, as what's left - Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins, certainly aren't at the right level.
