Premier League Striker Deals Interlinked in Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea Talks | OneFootball

Newcastle Transfer Puzzle Hinges on Isak and Jackson

The summer transfer window has rarely looked so intertwined for three major Premier League clubs. Nicolas Jackson’s preference to join Newcastle United from Chelsea could hinge entirely on whether Liverpool manage to prise Alexander Isak from St James’ Park.

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle’s board have made it clear to Isak that he will not be sold this summer and will not be allowed to join Liverpool, a stance that has reportedly left the striker angered. “Isak has been told by the Newcastle board that he is not for sale this summer and will not be allowed to join Liverpool which has angered him,” the report stated.

Liverpool, undeterred by Newcastle’s rejection of a £110m offer, are said to still be exploring the possibility of signing the Swede before the deadline. The Magpies’ valuation of £150m, with three years left on Isak’s contract, underlines the complexity of the situation.

Jackson’s Position and Newcastle’s Striker Hunt

For Eddie Howe, the need to bolster his forward options has grown urgent. Newcastle’s failure to land Benjamin Sesko, coupled with losing out to Chelsea in the race for Joao Pedro, has left them looking at Jackson. The Senegal striker is keen on the move, and Chelsea have signalled they are prepared to sell.

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“It is believed that Jackson has told Chelsea he wants to go – they have agreed to sell – and was left out of the squad for Friday’s friendly at Stamford Bridge against Bayer Leverkusen,” The Telegraph noted. Jackson has also been training separately from the first-team group, further indicating his impending departure.

Although other suitors remain in the frame, Newcastle is the move Jackson favours. Chelsea, however, will only sanction the sale if the deal is right for them, seeking to at least double the £32m they paid to sign him from Villarreal in 2023. His nine-year contract, signed just last September, means they are under no immediate pressure to cash in.

Chelsea’s Ambitious Squad Overhaul

Chelsea’s transfer window has been relentless. Alongside the Jackson situation, they are considering significant changes to their attacking line-up, with as many as nine players competing for forward roles.

One intriguing subplot is RB Leipzig’s interest in re-signing Christopher Nkunku as part of negotiations to sell Xavi Simons to Chelsea. Nkunku, who joined Chelsea for £52m in June 2023, has endured a frustrating spell in London blighted by injury and lack of consistent form. “The France international has made it clear he wants to leave before the transfer window closes, and Chelsea want to sell,” the report outlined.

Leipzig value Simons at close to £60m, having only bought him from Paris St-Germain for £43m in January after a successful loan spell. While no official bid for Simons has been lodged, conversations have taken place, with Chelsea also keeping an eye on Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.

Balancing Risk and Reward

For Newcastle, the dilemma is whether they can realistically sign Jackson while holding firm on Isak. For Chelsea, it is about balancing the books while improving their attack. For Liverpool, it is deciding whether Isak is worth pushing towards the £150m mark.

Newcastle’s stance has been consistent, yet the transfer market has a way of shifting priorities when offers climb or alternative targets emerge. Liverpool’s persistence hints at a belief that an agreement is still possible before deadline day.

Jackson’s proven ability to hit double figures in his first two seasons at Chelsea makes him an attractive proposition for a club in need of goals. Although he lacks the global profile of some of the Premier League’s leading No 9s, his pace, movement and finishing ability could add a new dimension to Newcastle’s attack.

The complexity of this situation ensures that the fates of Jackson, Isak, Nkunku, Simons and even Garnacho are interlinked. How these deals unfold could significantly shape the ambitions of three of the Premier League’s most talked-about sides before the window closes.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Newcastle fan’s perspective, this saga is both exciting and nerve-wracking. The idea of pairing Jackson with Isak could be enticing, but the fear is that the deal will only happen if Liverpool manage to lure Isak away. That is a nightmare scenario for many supporters who see the Swedish striker as a key figure in Eddie Howe’s project.

There is also a sense of curiosity about Jackson. He is not the type of headline-grabbing superstar that dominates social media chatter, but his output at Chelsea suggests there is room for further development. Eddie Howe has shown before that he can get more from a forward when given the right system and service.

From a Chelsea perspective, fans may be sceptical about letting Jackson go so soon after signing him on such a long deal, especially if he thrives elsewhere. However, the lure of a substantial profit and the chance to refresh the squad may outweigh those concerns.

Liverpool supporters will be split. Some will question spending such a vast sum on Isak, particularly in a summer when other positions could also use reinforcements. Others will see him as the ideal forward to lead Arne Slot’s attack.

What is certain is that this is a transfer chain with no straightforward resolution. The days leading to the deadline could bring surprises, and for all three clubs, those final decisions will shape not only the season ahead but also the perception of their transfer strategies.