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Rumours suggest that Alexander Isak is a top target for Liverpool this summer
It would take something pretty astronomical to bring down the mood at Newcastle United over the next few weeks as thousands of fans prepare for Black and White party 70 years in the making as the club’s heroes including Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton return from international duty to showcase their Carabao Cup trophy.
The Magpies overcame the odds to defeat runaway Premier League leaders and tournament holders Liverpool on an memorable afternoon at Wembley Stadium, but Alexander Isak, the man who stole the headlines with the match-winner now finds himself at the centre of more transfer gossip heading into the winter window
Various outlets, including TalkSport, claim that Alexander Isak features prominently on Arne Slot’s list of Liverpool targets as the Anfield club prepare to try and make a statement of intent to boost their hopes of further success in both the league and Europe next term.
Why Liverpool want Alexander Isak and what they could offer Newcastle United
Liverpool have been by far and away the best team in the division this term. They are 12 points clear of Arsenal with nine games to go and look almost certain to win the league title in Arne Slot’s first season at the helm.The Reds are also the highest scoring side in the division by some distance, have the second best defensive record in the league, and boast a whole host of potential PFA Team of the Season contenders including Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk.
The Anfield side are expected to have the title wrapped up with weeks to spare, yet incredibly find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to their future with local hero Trent Alexander-Arnold looking almost destined to move to Real Madrid on a free. Meanwhile, as the contract nears the end for the likes of Van Dijk and Salah, time seems to tick away like an hourglass as Liverpool fans pine for an extension to their deal and a long-term resolution.
Losing all three players that have been so influential in the club’s success, (not just this year but under Jurgen Klopp also) would be an unthinkable situation for a Liverpool fan as the club hope to build a dynasty of success, rather than a one season wonder - and there is a growing feeling within the club that they need to make a real statement of intent to keep their place at England’s summit.
The Reds have been largely reliant on Salah's output this season. The 32-year-old has a league-leading 27 goals which is more than a third of Liverpool’s overall record in the top-flight this term. He has also made 17 assists which means his overall goal contribution of 44 equates to around 63.3% of Liverpool’s strikes this term which would be an astronomical amount to lose. Particularly on a free.
Liverpool are pushing hard to keep Salah in their squad next term but know at the age of 32 that it’s likely that the experienced Egyptian will eventually show signs of slowing down at some stage in the future. TalkSport states that Isak is a top target for Liverpool even if Salah stays, but their desperation is only expected to increase if the Egyptian does depart.
Isak is valued at £150m, according toTelegraph Sport, which is expected to be out of Liverpool’s price range. However, TalkSport also adds that Liverpool could look to take advantage of Newcastle’s interest in defensive duo Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez, who were the subject of interest last summer, to help facilitate a lucrative cash plus player deal for Isak, but do the St. James’ Park club still need to sell players given their PSR situation?
Why Newcastle United are well placed to keep Alexander Isak
Newcastle are still in the early days of their ascent to the top of English football and after the match a jubilant Al-Rumayyan was videoed shouting to supporters “That’s the first and it’s not going to be the last!”
Since their arrival in October 2021, PIF stated that they wanted to make Newcastle the number one team in the world but after achieving Champions League qualification less than 18 months into their pursuit, the club were forced to put the breaks on any frantic spending to play by the new rules of PSR or face the punishment of a point deduction or other sanctions as displayed by Nottingham Forest and Everton during the 2023/24 campaign.
The Magpies narrowly avoided punishment over the summer and in a frantic push on 30 June were reluctantly forced to part ways with local lad Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and talented winger Yankuba Minteh to Brighton for a combined fee of between £60m - £70m.
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In January, with the club already slim, the North East side continued that approach with the £20m sale of Lloyd Kelly (just months after signing him on a free) and Miguel Almiron, leaving Jacob Murphy as the club’s sole right midfield option.
However, the understanding of Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope is that Isak is central to the team’s plan moving forward alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon, with the journalist adding that Newcastle are now in a healthy position to spend big once again.
Swedish international Isak celebrated his century of game for the North East club with his 58th goal in all competitions and arguably the most important strike in the club’s recent history against Liverpool last time out. Isak’s career at Newcastle is going from strength to strength and it seems almost inevitable given his form that the big clubs were going to be swooping around him.
The best players in the game want to win the biggest prizes and although the Carabao Cup is a great achievement, Isak is the calibre of player that will inevitably want Champions League experience once again and a fight for a league title. However, based on Newcastle’s ambition, the fact he is adored in the North East, the prospect of European football - and the fact Liverpool are still in transition with the contract situations of Salah and Van Dijk, it seems the Magpies are best placed to keep Isak at the club as long as they show the correct ambition in the transfer market and make strides towards the top European competitions.
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