Liverpool director Richard Hughes with inset of British money
Liverpool director Richard Hughes with inset of British money
Liverpool have now got the ball rolling towards a move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak in what would be one of the biggest deals of the summer.
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has confirmed that Liverpool have made contact over a move for Isak, one of the most in-form strikers in world football.
Additional reports claim that Liverpool have communicated their interest to do a deal in the region of £120million with Newcastle.
The Reds have already spent about £185million on transfers this summer, with Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Armin Pecsi arriving at Anfield.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has now explained how Liverpool can afford to also sign Isak for what would be a British record fee.
Alexander Isak in action for Newcastle vs Everton
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Liverpool are an ‘extremely well-run organisation’
Maguire, speaking exclusively to TBR Football, explained how Liverpool are currently in a very healthy position in terms of finance, PSR and squad cost rules.
The Reds only brought in Federico Chiesa last year, while the deal struck for Giorgi Mamardashvili last summer counts for this year.
Isak, who Anthony Gordon has deemed capable of becoming “one of the best players in the world” (TNT Sports), is therefore a realistic target for Liverpool.
“Liverpool are in a position of strength,” said Maguire. “They were quiet in the market last year, and they have sold one or two peripheral players – others are likely to leave.
There’s talk about Luis Diaz going too, so it would be a one out, one in basis. I think most people would regard that as an upgrade if Isak comes in.
Liverpool are an extremely well-run organisation from top to bottom. They have both funds and PSR/squad cost rules capacity to spend a lot more money this summer.
“Isak would clearly be one area that they want to address.”
Liverpool have been extremely well managed in recent years, putting them in the healthy financial/PSR position they’re in this summer.
The period from 2021/22 to 2023/24 saw Liverpool post a profit of £7million, a loss of £9million, and a loss of £57million for the last three years, as per the Liverpool Echo.
In terms of allowable deductions over that period, the club had £33million, £35million and £39million.
Liverpool had a positive PSR position of £48million which, when added to the £105million allowed to be lost over three years, means they had headroom of £153million.
The Reds’ financial year came to an end on 31 May and they are expected to get back into profit, with revenues said to be ‘almost certain to be above £700million’.
Indeed, Liverpool are said to be able to spend another £200million in the market this summer and still be PSR compliant.