Alexander Isak is a name that is set to dominate the summer transfer window in England.
The Swedish striker is in the form of his life at Newcastle, producing 23 goals and five assists across 33 games for the Magpies this season, which included the winner in the Carabao Cup final.
With many clubs in the Premier League in the market for a new striker ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, the 25-year-old tops the list of several of England’s biggest clubs.
Liverpool have Isak down as their main striker target, however, the Reds will not match the £150m asking price Newcastle have set for their main man and if the striker is to move to the Premier League leaders this summer, a compromise will need to be made.
Even if Liverpool decide to splash £150m on one player, that may still not be enough to lure the Swedish international to Anfield.
Photo by Harriet Massey/Getty Images
Photo by Harriet Massey/Getty Images
A deal for Alexander Isak could be impossible for Liverpool
This season has been a very positive one for Newcastle as the Magpies ended their trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup and Eddie Howe’s men are also on course to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Should the Tyneside club achieve this, it would see Isak remain at Newcastle for certain, even if a £150m bid for the striker arrives from one of the interested parties.
According to i news, Newcastle’s £150m price tag has caused both Arsenal and Liverpool to pivot to alternative targets, but if Howe’s team are in the Champions League next season, the departure of Isak this summer becomes ‘a non-issue’ for the Tyneside outfit.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Liverpool have already made contact with Isak’s team over a move, but with Champions League football to offer the Swedish star and not needing money due to the cash the biggest competition in Europe provides, this puts the Tyneside club in a great position.
It will be hard for Arne Slot to find a better striker than Isak this summer, but Liverpool do have alternatives lined up and they may already be exploring moves going off the report.
Liverpool’s Alexander Isak alternatives
Liverpool have several alternatives to Isak with the Reds targeting two styles of play. A player similar to the Swedish star is Hugo Ekitike, who has been in top form for Eintracht Frankfurt this season and could be signed for €80m [£67m] this summer.
With Slot showing this season that he likes his number nine to drop deeper to create for his wingers, a more Roberto Firmino style player could be the route the Dutch coach goes down.
Liverpool have shown interest in Brighton’s Joao Pedro, although the Seagulls are set to demand £100m to part ways with the Brazilian talent at the end of the season, which makes the situation similar to Isak.
Player Games Goals Assists
Alexander Isak 33 23 5
Hugo Ekitike 39 19 8
Joao Pedro 26 8 7
Matheus Cunha 29 15 4
2024/25 stats of Liverpool’s forward targets
A player similar to Pedro, Liverpool have also been linked to Matheus Cunha, who has impressed at Wolves throughout the current campaign, despite some disciplinary issues, which will likely be a problem for the Merseyside club.
It remains to be seen what player Liverpool make a strong attempt for this summer but what is clear is that the Reds have several options should they fail to land Isak.