Secret Alexander Isak meeting revealed 'as Liverpool prepare £120m second bid' | OneFootball

Newcastle chiefs made a visit to their wantaway striker on Monday

Newcastle have held a secret meeting with Alexander Isak as Liverpool prepare a second bid for the wantaway striker.

The club hierarchy reportedly met with Isak at his home before Monday night's bruising and painful loss to Liverpool, who let a two-goal lead slip after Anthony Gordon's red card only to win the game in the 100th minute.

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The Daily Mail report that Newcastle co-owner Jamie Reuben and director Jacobo Solis visited Isak for what is expected to have been an attempt to convince the player to stay at the club this summer, and forget about a move to the Premier League champions.

Isak was told that both Newcastle fans and his team-mates are ready to welcome him back, should he want to be welcomed back. Then a plan to reintergrate would follow, which would involve apologies, both public and private.

It remains to be seen if Newcastle's approach will work on Isak, as Liverpool prepare a second bid worth £120million for the player.

Seeing red: Anthony Gordon was sent off against Liverpool

REUTERS

It is almost a month since their opening bid of £110m was rejected. Journalist Ben Jacobs reported on Tuesday morning that the Reds considered that price acceptable at the time and are not prepared to go anywhere near the £150m asking price.

Liverpool, it is said, believe playing such a figure would distort the market and weaken their position for future deals. It is suggested that Newcastle would sell if Isak makes clear he will not sign a new contract.

Isak last week took to Instagram to confirm his relationship with Newcastle was beyond repair. The post was a surprise, reportedly also to the club, but its contents were not; Isak's intentions have been clear for some time.

The Sweden international says he sees no future for himself at Newcastle due to claims that “promises have been broken” and “trust is lost”.

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie reported on Tuesday that an exit for Isak remains a distinct possibility as Newcastle worked ‘furiously’ on signing two strikers as replacements.

Brentford's Yoane Wissa and Wolves’ Jorgen Strand-Larsen are their top targets, having already been rejected by Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko.

The Bees have rejected two bids from Newcastle for Wissa, the last totalling £40m, and on Monday a £50m bid for Strand Larsen was dismissed by Wolves.