Alexander Isak has already completed three big steps towards Liverpool transfer

Alexander Isak has already taken some major steps to engineer a move to Liverpool, with the Reds still trying to secure his signature. The striker's future has been up in the air for a number of weeks after Newcastle received an initial approach earlier this month. Liverpool did not submit a formal offer but informed the Magpies of their desire to bring Isak to Anfield.

The response was that he would not be sold under any circumstances, which led Liverpool to switch their focus to Hugo Ekitike. They wasted no time in wrapping up a deal for the Frenchman but are still believed to be keen on a move for Isak. Arne Slot reportedly wants both players in his squad as Liverpool go in search of back-to-back Premier League titles.

While there is still a long way to go until the move is completed, Isak has been doing as much as he possibly can to hurry things along.

He is desperate to join Liverpool and has reportedly informed his Newcastle team-mates that he wants to leave, according to AS.

Isak is not currently with the rest of the squad, having ventured to Spain to prepare for the season at Real Sociedad's training ground. He was left out of the Newcastle group which travelled to Asia for games against Arsenal, Tottenham and a K-League XI.

Isak is also said to have agreed personal terms with Liverpool despite the lack of progress at club level. It is claimed that he will sign a contract until the summer of 2031 if the Reds succeed in agreeing a transfer fee.

Liverpool are reportedly keen to make Isak one of their highest-paid players, earning a similar salary to that of Ekitike. The latter is reportedly taking home around £250,000 per week, putting him third on the list behind Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

Isak is also said to have convinced Liverpool to break their transfer record to bring him to Merseyside. They are said to be preparing a bid of around £120million in the hope that Newcastle will decide to cash in.

There is no guarantee the Magpies will be prepared to accept that amount of money, though. It has been claimed by the Evening Standard that Newcastle chiefs have privately set Isak's asking price at a whopping £150m.

It remains to be seen if they will lower that demand in light of Isak's desire to leave, with the Swedish forward clearly unsettled in his current surroundings.

Eddie Howe recently conceded the situation was out of his hands, saying: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him.

"I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control. We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club. My wish is that he stays and we see him playing again next year."

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