Liverpool have been informed that a move for Alexander Isak remains a realistic possibility this summer, following a series of important updates that have boosted Arne Slot’s hopes of securing his top attacking target. The details also reveal a clearer picture of when Liverpool might attempt to strike a deal with Newcastle United.
Although Slot’s squad were crowned Premier League champions, the Reds are not resting on their laurels and have shown clear ambition to build on that success moving forward. Already the most proactive Premier League side in the current transfer window, Liverpool confirmed their seventh signing of the summer on Friday night, securing experienced Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on a free transfer.
Even though Woodman arrives without a transfer fee, Liverpool’s total spending this summer has already surpassed £190m (€222.4m, \$261m). The majority of that outlay comes from the club’s record-breaking £116m (€136m, \$159m) move for Florian Wirtz, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen.
Nevertheless, Liverpool are reportedly still in the market for further reinforcements. While attention is now shifting towards outgoings to balance their financial books, the club still plans to recruit two more key additions: a central defender and a striker.
Any incoming forward is expected to require a substantial financial commitment. If Liverpool opt to pursue Isak, the move could potentially break another British transfer record, given the Swede’s rising market value and importance to Newcastle.
Fresh optimism has now emerged, as a double update has offered Liverpool new hope. According to The Times, Newcastle’s current financial pressures could force them to consider offloading Isak, despite his key role at the club.
The report explains that Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is eager to strengthen his squad significantly this summer in an effort to evolve from a top-four challenger to a genuine title contender.
However, limited spending capacity – coupled with ongoing interest in Brighton’s Joao Pedro, Anthony Elanga of Nottingham Forest, and Burnley’s James Trafford – could make it difficult for Newcastle to finance their transfer ambitions. As a result, journalist Martin Hardy suggests that a big-money bid for Isak may be too tempting to turn down if the Magpies struggle to secure their priority targets.
He writes: ‘Newcastle have not signed a big-name first-team player in three transfer windows because of concerns about being in breach of PSR.
‘Indeed, they had to sell Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton at the end of June last year for a combined total of £70million to fend off a potential ten-point deduction.’
As a consequence, it has been suggested that selling Isak could instantly ease Newcastle’s financial constraints, providing Eddie Howe with the flexibility required to pursue his preferred transfer targets.
Meanwhile, a significant dual update from BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel and the Liverpool Echo has offered Liverpool additional reason to feel encouraged about securing a deal.
Liverpool Given Isak Hope as Arsenal Transfer is Finally Shut Down
According to Mokbel, Liverpool are now the sole Premier League club in a financial position to launch a move for Isak, with any prospect of a transfer to Arsenal completely ruled out.
Mokbel explained: “I think the ideal scenario for Mikel Arteta is to get Alexander Isak. I think we kind of know that there’s probably less than 2% chance of that happening, if that, just because of the sheer numbers involved.
“If you’re going for Isak, next season might be the season where you get a chance, when he’s just got two years left on his contract.
“But then I saw reports yesterday in the North East that they were trying to get him to a new contract, so that, you know, we’ll see about that.”
It was recently reported that Newcastle are keen to offer Alexander Isak a lucrative new contract, aiming to not only make him one of their top earners but also to put an end to ongoing speculation about the 139-goal striker’s future.
Isak is currently believed to be earning around £120,000 per week, and any proposed extension would reportedly see him placed on the same wage level as Bruno Guimaraes, at £160,000 per week, making them the club’s joint-highest earners.
However, according to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool have the financial power to easily surpass Newcastle’s offer and are already mapping out their next steps in the pursuit of the Swedish forward.
The report claims that Liverpool would not be deterred by Isak’s wage demands, stating his salary is unlikely to be a stumbling block if serious interest emerges later in the transfer window.
It is also highlighted that, while Liverpool may seem hesitant to break their spending limits again so soon after the club-record £116m acquisition of Florian Wirtz, expected sales—such as Jarell Quansah’s anticipated £35m move and a possible departure for Darwin Nunez—could generate significant funds to cover another major signing.
Furthermore, the report reveals that Liverpool will closely monitor developments at Newcastle and may move quickly should there be any signal that a deal for Isak could be struck in the coming weeks.
For now, Liverpool are reportedly playing the waiting game, with their next move depending on how Newcastle’s position is affected by changes in their Profit and Sustainability Regulation standings.
Despite Liverpool’s interest, completing a deal will be far from straightforward. Newcastle are said to value Isak at around £150m (€176m, \$206m), and there’s even talk that they could demand close to £200m (€234m, \$274m), which would put the transfer in world-record territory.
In addition, Liverpool could generate further funds to launch a serious bid for Isak by potentially selling Luis Diaz during this summer’s transfer window.
In other news, Worth Even More Than Kerkez & Guehi: Slot Has Struck Gold on Liverpool “Superstar”