Liverpool have reportedly raised Newcastle’s alarm bells over a potential bid for star forward Alexander Isak. It is claimed that the Premier League champions have the funds to test the Magpies’ resolve this summer.

Newcastle are desperate to keep the Swedish forward and are reportedly prepared to make him the best-paid player in the club's history. Isak fired the Magpies to Champions League qualification last season, with their participation in elite European competition next term aiding their hopes of maintaining him. However, a new No. 9 would fill the last piece in Liverpool boss Arne Slot's puzzle after mega-money deals for £146million duo Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.

According to The Times, Liverpool have the funds to potentially bring Newcastle to the negotiating table. In turn, the Tyneside outfit are reportedly concerned that a bid for the 25-year-old could be made in early July.

July 1 marks the start official start of the 2025-26 season and therefore a new window in terms of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Combined £146m switches for Wirtz and Frimpong can be filed under the 2024-25 campaign. Clubs are permitted to lose no more than £105m across a given three-year period.

Newcastle are reportedly prepared to hand Isak the biggest contract in the club's history in an effort to persuade him to stay. Despite his enormous contributions, which included scoring the winner in Newcastle's League Cup final victory over Liverpool, he is not their top earner.

A new deal would take him above the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon. However, PSR constraints reportedly mean that the St. James' Park outfit are unable to offer Isak the kind of money that Liverpool could put on the table.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe is determined to keep Isak, as are the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, who have a majority stake in the club. The former Borussia Dortmund star scored 23 Premier League goals last season, second only to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool are not said to be actively searching for a new centre-forward, but would be in the queue should Isak decide he wants to leave. He has three years remaining on his contract.

Meanwhile, a big-spending summer is set to see Milos Kerkez become the third arrival at Anfield in a £40m switch from Bournemouth. His signing could see long-serving left-back Andy Robertson depart, with Atletico Madrid reportedly showing an interest. Fringe forward Darwin Nunez has also been strongly linked with a switch to Napoli as Liverpool attempt to recover some costs.