With Liverpool wrapping up a deal for Ekitiké worth a reported €95 million (£82.3 million, $110.5 million), the Reds appear to be out of the race for Isak this summer, while Newcastle’s mammoth price tag of at least £120 million ($161 million) drastically limits the number of teams capable of funding such a deal.

Isak was left out of the squad for the Magpies pre-season friendly against Celtic with manager Eddie Howe admitting he wanted to remove him from ‘scrutiny’ due to the speculation he may leave the club.