In this week's Blood Red column, Theo Squires weighs up the Alexander Isak transfer saga and why it might not be over yet despite Liverpool's current intention not to bid again
Theo Squires was appointed Liverpool FC Writer for the Liverpool ECHO in 2021, after covering EURO 2020 at Wembley as England reached their first major men's final since 1966. A senior football journalist, Theo joined the ECHO's sports team from Bolton Wanderers in 2018, having previously spent four seasons in the former Premier League side's communications team where he ran the club's website and social media channels. A regular in the Anfield press box since joining the ECHO, since being promoted to Liverpool FC Writer, Theo has reported on Jurgen Klopp's side as they won the FA Cup and League Cup at Wembley, and competed in the 2022 Champions League final in Paris. A regular on the Blood Red podcast, Theo has also conducted a number of exclusive interviews during his time with the ECHO, speaking to the likes of Roger Hunt, Nicolas Anelka, and Alberto Aquilani.
Alexander Isak warms up prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Fulham.
Alexander Isak warms up prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Fulham.
(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Only hours after Liverpool had unveiled Florian Wirtz as their new number seven, it was revealed they had made their move for the player who could have been their next number nine. The Reds had seen a bid rejected by Newcastle United for long-standing target, Alexander Isak.
That offer was worth £110m. But soon after it emerged that Liverpool’s negotiations would end there. Given the swiftness and clarity of the Magpies’ rejection, they considered going back in with a second bid for the striker futile.
But it is not quite as simple as that amid mixed messages from St. James’ Park, despite an ongoing adamance that Newcastle do not want to sell.
Their stance to Liverpool was made crystal clear, given such clarity prompted the Reds to walk away from the table. But their 'not for sale' message has never felt entirely convincing - especially given the player's well-documented own desires.
On Thursday (July 31), it emerged that the Magpies were understood to be angry at being forced to play a waiting game, waiting for Liverpool to make an official bid for the Swede.
Yet such anger is arguably pointed in the wrong place, and maybe even gives the game away with regards to the Magpies’ actual transfer stance.
After all, regardless of any unwanted speculation, why would you be angry at the lack of bid for a player you insist you don’t want to sell?
Well-aware of Isak’s initial desire for a new contract, they only have themselves to blame for not rushing to tie down his future until it was too late. With his head now turned, they find themselves backed into a corner - regardless of Liverpool briefing that they now do not intend to bid again.
The striker has still made it clear that he wants to leave the club and is currently training with his former side, Real Sociedad, after missing their tour of the Far East due to a minor injury.
Newcastle will return to the United Kingdom after they face Tottenham Hotspur in Seoul on Sunday 3 August, when Isak is expected to reunite with his coaches and team-mates for the first time since his desire to leave emerged publicly.
The Magpies will conclude their pre-season schedule by facing La Liga outfits Espanyol and Atletico Madrid on Friday 8 August and Saturday 9 August, with Newcastle expecting Isak to be available to feature in either fixture.
All eyes will now be on St. James’ Park following Liverpool’s rejected bid, to see what exactly the striker does next.
If Isak digs in to force a move or Newcastle’s stance regarding his future changes, as they continue to pursue new striking additions of their own, this saga might not be finished yet. There is still a month still to go until the transfer window closes on September 1, after all, with all clubs rarely retaining the services of wantaway players for long.
Newcastle have been left feeling frustrated more than once during the transfer window so far, having missed out on both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro to Chelsea, before seeing Hugo Ekitike snub them in favour of a move to Liverpool.
They now risk being left disappointed in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko too, with Manchester United moving for the RB Leipzig striker. They have already lost out on Bryan Mbeumo to the Red Devils, while Brentford have so far rejected their advances for Yoane Wissa.
Had any pursuits been more successful, you wonder if initial negotiations with Liverpool for Isak might have fared slightly differently. They are playing a game of poker and the Reds have now called their bluff.
With the start of the new Premier League season now less than two weeks away, they are left with William Osula and Sean Neave as their recognised centre-forwards beyond a wantaway Isak.
Given that the £55m signing of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest is their only incoming senior transfer so far, you would be forgiven for forgetting that this is a club preparing for a campaign back in the Champions League.
The Magpies will no doubt see it as a win if they are able to retain Isak, but they now face an almighty challenge to persuade an unhappy player that St. James’ Park should remain the place to be.
Anthony Gordon found himself in a similar situation only last summer, admitting Newcastle bosses had had to work hard to get his head ‘back in the building’ after seeing his own move to Liverpool collapse. He went on to endure a somewhat poor individual campaign as that speculation and uncertainty continued to take its toll long after his transfer fell through.
The Magpies now risk history repeating itself after Liverpool stepped back from the table.
It is worth noting that Gordon was not looking for a move to his boyhood club when Newcastle’s issues with PSR briefly opened the door last summer. Isak’s own stance is evidently different, with much of the transfer noise believed to be coming from his own camp.
Liverpool have been on both sides of such battles before. In the summer of 2017, they fought to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton while fighting off interest from Barcelona in Philippe Coutinho. Both players wanted to move on.
Interest ultimately ended up on hold but come January 2018, both got their wish. Only time will tell if player power will come out on top now.
Given Newcastle’s struggles in the transfer window so far this summer, surely the prospect of a transformative British record deal for Isak would not be lost on them. Sure, it would hurt to lose the striker, but as Liverpool found out in 2018 when selling Coutinho, reinvest such funds wisely and it can be the difference between aiming to qualify for the Champions League and challenging to win it.
Newcastle will admittedly have to soften their own position if any move for the striker is to be resurrected. But all eyes are now on Isak and what he chooses to do next.
In the past when Liverpool have been left disappointed in their pursuit of star targets, they have opted to keep their powder dry.
But having sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich in a £65.5m deal earlier this week, gifting the number seven shirt to Wirtz in the first place, they might not be afforded the same luxury now.
The Colombian’s exit had been anticipated to open the door to Isak’s arrival, with Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa also still mooted to move on before the transfer window closes.
Without the trio, Liverpool would be left with Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike as their senior attacking options, with Wirtz, the versatile Jeremie Frimpong and a teenage Rio Ngumoha in reserve.
Having boasted six international options last season when winning the Premier League, with Arne Slot favouring having two quality players in each position, it should be no surprise if the Reds still look to strengthen.
When announcing Wirtz as number seven and the rest of their squad numbers for the 2025/26 season, it is curious that both nine and 14 - Isak’s current jerseys for club and country - could still become available if Nunez or Chiesa depart Anfield.
If the Newcastle forward really wants to be in possession of either at Liverpool in a month’s time, he will have to fight for it.