July 25 – Liverpool are reportedly preparing a British record bid for Newcastle and Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, as the player pushes for a bombshell summer exit.
The deal would mark the second time the club have broken the British record within the same window, following the €125million deal for Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz earlier this summer.
Isak has informed Newcastle of his desire to leave and was omitted from the squad for the club’s pre-season tour of Asia. Initially ruled out with a “minor thigh injury”, the striker later admitted he sees his future elsewhere.
The news came to the delight of Liverpool, who are longstanding admirers of the Swedish striker. One tiny hiccup though: the Reds have just splashed €95million on France forward Hugo Ekitike.
That fee follows the club-record signing of Florian Wirtz earlier this summer, along with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez for €40 million and €46 million respectively. The reigning Premier League champions have embarked on a bold – and costly – summer rebuild.
Questions have been raised over how Liverpool will manage a squad stacked with high-profile attacking options if Isak joins. Wirtz, Salah, and Ekitike are all expected to play significant roles next season as promised by manager Arne Slot. Add to that Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo, and Darwin Núñez – still on the books – and Liverpool face a potential selection dilemma.
The fee for Isak is up in the air, though it is expected to be north of €150million.
Despite the financial outlay, reports suggest Liverpool’s transfer spree remains compliant with Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules, thanks to prudent financial management in recent seasons.
Isak has also attracted predictable interest from Saudi Arabia, who would no doubt be more than willing to cough up the £300,000 wage demands that have created an impossible barrier for Newcastle to hurdle on Tyneside.
The striker’s likely departure has triggered a chain reaction in the market, with Newcastle now actively pursuing a replacement. Their top target appears to be 22-year-old RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Šeško, who is reportedly available for about €80 million.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1754229269labto1754229269ofdlr1754229269owedi1754229269sni@g1754229269niwe.1754229269yrrah1754229269