Liverpool’s move for Newcastle star Alexander Isak looks set to collapse as the forward has reportedly been told that he is set to stay on Tyneside this summer. The striker is keen to make the move to the Reds this summer, but the Magpies are set to stand firm on their stance that he is not for sale.

Arne Slot’s side have splashed the cash on new signings over the past few months, bolstering their backline with the additions of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez before breaking the British transfer record with the signing of Florian Wirtz. They have also added Hugo Ekitike to their forward ranks.

Liverpool are keen to continue their spending spree by breaking the Premier League’s transfer record again before the transfer window closes, with Isak shortlisted as their top target to spearhead their attack next season.

The Reds have firmly turned the head of the Sweden international after having an opening bid knocked back for his services, but their pursuit of the former Real Sociedad star looks to have hit a major stumbling block.

According to the Telegraph, the Newcastle board have informed Isak that he will not be sold to Liverpool this summer, a decision which the forward has ‘refused to accept’. The 25-year-old has therefore been told to train away from the first team until he comes to terms with Newcastle’s firm stance.

Eddie Howe is hoping to ‘smooth things over’ with the forward, but Isak has been left incredibly frustrated by the matter, which is ‘testing Howe’s patience’. The Magpies’ Saudi ownership have insisted that Isak will not play for the club until he has accepted the call, with club chiefs sticking to their stance of ‘no sale’ – which they have insisted on throughout the summer transfer window so far.

Liverpool were made aware that Newcastle had no interest in selling No. 14 after their £110million offer was rejected and they have no intention of tabling another offer until their rivals’ stance changes – which is described as ‘extremely unlikely’.

Newcastle are in the market for another striker regardless of Isak’s saga, and any attacking incomings are not expected to impact matters given that Callum Wilson was allowed to leave the club as a free agent at the end of last season.