A Newcastle transfer may inadvertently provide Liverpool with the funds to secure a blockbuster nine-figure move for Alexander Isak. The Premier League champions will reportedly be at the front of the queue if Isak decides to leave St. James’ Park this summer.
Liverpool have already spent £186m on Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. A serious pursuit of Isak will realistically require the Reds to raise funds through the sales of fringe players. Harvey Elliott, Andy Robertson and Jarell Quansah have all been linked with departures. And it is Elliott’s future, in particular, that could help Liverpool bring Isak to Anfield.
Premier League rivals Brighton are reportedly interested in a potential deal for Elliott. However, the Seagulls might, in turn, need to generate resources to be able to afford the £40-50m that Liverpool are believed to want for the 22-year-old.
That is where Newcastle come back into the picture. Brighton are currently playing hardball with the Magpies over the future of forward Joao Pedro, who has been strongly linked with a move to Tyneside.
According to Chronicle Live, advanced talks are taking place between Newcastle and Brighton over Pedro. A £50m bid is said to have been submitted, but Brighton are reportedly holding out for closer to £60m.
If Newcastle decide to go ahead with that move and hand Brighton £60m, that would give the South Coast club the funds to sign Elliott from Liverpool. With Elliott’s transfer fee in the bag, Liverpool would then be in a far stronger position to complete a move for Isak later in the transfer window.
An elite centre-forward would surely be the final piece of Arne Slot’s jigsaw. Wirtz’s arrival provides the creativity from the middle of the pitch that was sometimes missing last season. Mohamed Salah’s decision to remain on Merseyside for another two years means Liverpool have not lost his output.
On the left, Slot will be able to pick from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz. Wirtz may also play out wide when needed.
Centre-back could be an issue if Ibrahima Konate decides to move to Real Madrid, having reportedly been underwhelmed by a contract offer made by Liverpool. Marc Guehi is understood to be a target, but it remains to be seen whether he decides to see out the final year of his Crystal Palace contract before exploring his options after the 2026 World Cup.
A move for Isak could be next on Liverpool’s agenda, particularly if they raise the funds to do so.