NEWCASTLE have rejected Liverpool’s opening bid for Alexander Isak, according to reports.
It is believed the Reds offered around £120million for the wantaway striker.
Newcastle are desperate for their star man to stay and have offered him a new, improved deal.
The contract also includes a release clause that would allow Isak to leave next summer.
But the Sweden international is determind to leave and his stance has not changed amid talks with senior team-mates.
Isak, 25, is absent from Newcastle‘s pre-seaosn tour with the club claiming he has a thigh injury.
He is instead training at former club Real Sociedad’s Zubieta facilities.
Newcastle have been adamant Isak is not for sale, and he still has three years remaining on his contract.
It is understood a figure of £150m may be more likely to tempt Toon, with Liverpool’s offer falling some way short.
Eddie Howe has spoken out on the situation, stating a decision needs to be made soon.
He said: “There’s always big decisions to make when you’re at Newcastle. That goes with the territory.
“I wouldn’t put a timescale on it. With these situations, it has to be right for the football club.
“Obviously, everything is taken into context below that, but the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has.
“Ultimately, to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it’s up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can.
“That’s what we’re trying to do, regardless of Alex’s situation. Of course, we want stability and we want the group to have a really good feeling.
“We are in a very strong position financially. We are determined to be successful.
“We are ambitious. We’ve got a great season ahead of us. We need to add to the squad and continue to improve.
“And if the journey can continue to an upward trajectory, I think that’s what we all want. So that’s what we’re battling to try and achieve.”
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