Jamie Carragher has summed up exactly why the Alexander Isak situation does not make sense, as Liverpool attempt to buy the Newcastle United striker.
The word all summer has been that Newcastle United do not want to sell Isak.
However, the situation changed when it emerged that Isak wants to leave Newcastle. It has become a very messy situation, with the forward not going on Newcastle United’s pre-season tour of Asia.
For now, he is still part of the Newcastle United squad. Liverpool’s first Isak offer was rejected, with £120million not enough for the Magpies to accept. They are holding out for £150million, which is what they believe he is worth.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool will reach that amount, while there is also the complication of Newcastle needing to buy a replacement. A lot of dominoes need to fall before Isak can leave St James’ Park, with less than four weeks to go until the transfer window slams shut.
Alexander Isak looks on during Newcastle United's Premier League game against Manchester City.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Jamie Carragher explains why the Alexander Isak situation is ‘messy’
There is also the complication of Liverpool buying Hugo Ekitike for almost £80million, and that is where things get confusing for former Reds defender Jamie Carragher.
Speaking on the Fan Debate on the Overlap YouTube channel, Carragher has questioned why Liverpool bought Ekitike for so much money if Isak really was their top target.
“Listen, it will be an amazing sign [if Liverpool get Isak],” he said.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“From a Liverpool fan’s point of view for myself, I don’t want Liverpool to spend £150million on Isak.
“You’ve just said there he was Liverpool’s number one target and I can probably imagine that, but there is something about Liverpool buying another striker for £80million and he is going to be backup. There is something about it just doesn’t feel quite right to me.
“Liverpool need numbers obviously for a number of reasons at the top end of the pitch, but when you’re saying he was the number one target, do you have any insight as to why Liverpool then went and got Ekitike?
“I look at Isak. He’s obviously threw his toys out the pram once Arsenal signed a striker and Liverpool signed a striker. I’m thinking from him and his agent’s point of view, did they not tell Newcastle months ago that they wanted to move on? It just feels a little bit messy.
“For me, when I think of Liverpool, it doesn’t look really planned. I don’t think the plan is to buy a striker for £80million then buy another one for £120million.”
As Carragher says, the timing of all of this does not make a lot of sense. From the Newcastle United point of view, why did Isak leave it so late to state his intentions? He has now created situation where the Toon fans feel betrayed, while there is still a good chance he remains at St James’ Park.
Jamie Carragher compares Alexander Isak to Kylian Mbappe
If Isak does leave Newcastle United for £150million, it will break the British transfer record.
However, the money that the Sweden international could cost is a problem for Carragher.
He added: “I do want Liverpool to sign him, but £150million for me feels like Mbappe. You should be getting Mbappe for £150million.”
It is an obscene amount of money, but it is reflective of the current market in the Premier League. Isak is one of the best strikers in the world. In contrast, Ekitike has just cost around £80million on the back of one excellent season in the Bundesliga.
Isak has performed consistently well in the Premier League, has succeeded in La Liga, and has three years left to run on his Newcastle United contract. The Magpies’ valuation is obscene, but they want what they believe their player is worth.