It may have gone quietly unnoticed, but Liverpool suffered a major transfer blow on the final weekend of the Premier League season.
While the relegation fight and title race were long concluded, the race to secure a Champions League spot went right to the wire. Manchester City and Chelsea secured their places with wins, but Newcastle United fortunately snuck in despite losing 1-0 to Everton at home.
A fifth-place finish and return to the Champions League changed not just the Magpies’ transfer outlook, but also Liverpool’s. It meant Newcastle can chase its top targets, with no reason to sell its prize assets.
Therefore, Alexander Isak is almost certainly set to remain in the north-east, a message the Newcastle hierarchy have publicly preached all season.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein also told NBC Sport on the final day of the season that there was “no chance” of Isak departing this summer.
It adds an extra complexity to Liverpool’s summer, with Darwin Nunez expected to leave Liverpool.
Speaking in late April on The Athletic FC Podcast, Ornstein spelled out the situation for Liverpool.
Liverpool has been linked with a move for Alexander Isak
Isak is expected to stay at Newcastle this summer. (Image: Getty Images)
“There is an expectation that Darwin Nunez will leave and so Liverpool will need to bring in somebody in that position,” said the reporter.
“It’s scary to think if Liverpool manage to get a goalscorer, what on earth they could do in domestic and European competition.
“I do think Isak would be the one that Liverpool would look to, as would Arsenal and many other clubs. It’s less realistic to think it’s going to happen, though, because if Newcastle qualify for the Champions League, I think it’s not even a conversation.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates with the Premier League trophy trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Nunez is expected to leave Liverpool this summer. (Image: Getty Images)
While it’s a blow for the Reds, Isak is not the only striker on the market. Liverpool has been linked with a plethora of no.9s throughout the season.
That said, Liam Delap is now off the table following his move to Chelsea, Benjamin Sesko looks destined for Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid have ruled out a departure for Julian Alvarez.
It has reduced the pool of available options, although the highly rated Hugo Etikike is still available, as are Victor Osmihen and Viktor Gyokeres. Other names, such as Joao Pedro and Ollie Watkins have also been mentioned fleetingly.
Florian Wirtz, whose arrival at Liverpool is expected imminently, is also capable of playing as a striker. With Diogo Jota still at the club, Liverpool will still have options following Nunez’s expected departure.