Liverpool have been linked with Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak
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Liverpool have been linked with Alexander Isak.
Liverpool have been linked with Alexander Isak.(Image: Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes Liverpool could afford to splash out on Newcastle United star Alexander Isak without the threat of breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. However, he has questioned whether the Reds would part with a significant fee for the Sweden international.
Arne Slot has had Mohamed Salah to thank throughout the campaign for his heroics. Nevertheless, the struggles across the front three when the Egyptian hasn't been on target has been problematic for Liverpool - in particular during their difficulties across two legs against Paris Saint-Germain and in the Carabao Cup Final against the Magpies.
Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz are facing an uncertain future on Merseyside amid reports claiming interest from around Europe and Saudi Arabia.
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Liverpool continue to be linked with Isak after another scintillating campaign from the former Real Sociedad striker with Premier League title rivals Arsenal also keen on his signature.
Newcastle would reportedly demand a fee in the region of £150million for their star striker, but Maguire believes both Liverpool and Arsenal would be able to afford the 25-year-old despite the Premier League's strict Profit and Sustainability Rules.
“Both clubs are in a very strong position because they are guaranteed Champions League qualification next season, so that is worth a minimum of £30 to £40million just the qualifying, plus the matches you will pick up during the season getting £4 to £5million per match," said Maguire speaking on The Overlap.
“If you sign a player even for £150million, you spread that across five years it is costing you £30m plus the wages, let's say the wages, even at the top end are 15, you are talking £45m for one player, that is your entry fee to the Champions League.
“Also we look at what Arsenal have done in recent years, their wage bill went down quite a bit, they had a lot of players who were on big contracts four or five years ago.
“Those players have now moved off and Arsenal have got wiggle room, Liverpool will have wiggle room potential because Trent is no longer going to be there and we could lose one or two players on top of that.
“They have all got scope to spend, but it is a case of he is 26 years old. It is his last big contract, clubs are also looking at potential movings later on in that player's career, that tends not to be the case when you get to 28 or 29."