Whether Richard Keys’ claim of a £140 million second bid proves accurate or not, one truth is unavoidable: this transfer saga will define the closing weeks of the window. Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak has placed pressure on Newcastle’s hierarchy and set the stage for one of the summer’s defining moves.

Follow live updates as the summer transfer window continues after the opening weekend of the Premier League season

More speculation has been caused by Isak’s likely decision to snub the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) awards gala on Tuesday. BBC Sport claim that the 25-year-old forward, who is one of six nominees for the marquee Players’ Player of the Year gong, is not expected to attend the ceremony which will be held at the Manchester Opera House.

Eddie Howe has left the door open for the player to re-integrate with the squad as he continues to hold out for a move to Liverpool