Alan Shearer has tipped Newcastle ace Alexander Isak to become "world class" if he seals his summer switch to Liverpool. The striker is valued at a whopping £150million by the Toon amid interest from the Reds, who recently saw their opening bid for the player rejected.
Liverpool have already splashed out on Florian Wirtz in a deal that could break the British transfer record. They've also bolstered their squad with the additions of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Arne Slot's side had a hefty offer for Isak worth £110m plus add-ons turned down, but the player's agent was at Anfield on Monday night for the fixtures against Athletic Bilbao and they're monitoring Newcastle's situation with Benjamin Sesko before making a second bid. Newcastle are holding their ground on Isak given the player has three years left to run on his contract.
READ MORE: Alan Shearer makes feelings clear on Alexander Isak Liverpool transfer - 'Get him out'
READ MORE: Newcastle make improved Benjamin Sesko transfer offer to move ahead of Man Utd in chase
Following a January sit-down with Isak, Tyneside icon Shearer was convinced the forward has even more potential to unlock. And that could make for an exciting prospects if Liverpool manage to successfully navigate his signing this summer.
"He's like an assassin, the way he puts chances away, but what I really liked from talking to him is that you can tell he is still looking for ways to improve his game at the age of 25," Shearer told BBC Sport speaking about their conversation. "I feel that Isak has put himself into the 'world class' category now, with his performances for Newcastle over the past two seasons.
"Along with Mohamed Salah at Liverpool and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, he is one of the three standout forwards we have got in the Premier League.
"I remember talking to Isak this time last year [2023], and Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall walked in and said one of the things he could do better at was tap-ins, those kind of two or three-yard finishes where you are just in the right place at the right time.
"Isak felt the same way, and he has clearly worked on that, in terms of his positioning and where you need to be to get on the end of balls into the box. As he says himself, small details can change a lot. He feels it has got him other types of goals, as well as more goals.
"I loved hearing about that – and all the different aspects of his game – 12 months on. You can understand why he keeps getting better and better as a player."
The Isak situation remains a bold gamble, particularly after he told Newcastle he wanted to weigh up his options elsewhere. He also skipped their recent pre-season tour of Asia and began training individually with his previous club, Real Sociedad.
One crucial element that could decide whether he stays or departs St. James' Park is Newcastle's ability to land a proper replacement. RB Leipzig's Sesko is currently leading the race, with the club submitting a club-record bid for the Slovenian.
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