Liverpool have been exceptional in the summer transfer market and have so far signed all their top targets aside from Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi.
Guehi is being targeted to reinforce Liverpool’s worring centre-back depth and could cost the Reds in the region of £50m if a deal progresses but he is by no means their priority.
Given the arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, it can be argued that signing a centre-back is more important than signing Isak but rarely does the chance to sign the best striker in the Premier League present itself.
Isak scored 23 goals last season – the most of any striker in the league even if it was six fewer than Mo Salah managed.
As much as Liverpool are desperate to sign Isak, the player seems just as desperate to see this transfer done.
Stephen Warnock explains why Alexander Isak is desperate to join Liverpool
Newcastle United qualified for this season’s Champions League with a fifth placed finish and it was initially believed that would be sufficient to keep Alexander Isak.
As it transpires, the player never intended to stay at St. James’ Park with the player keen to win the Champions League, not merely take part.
Speaking on the BBC’s Monday Night Club, Stephen Warnock says that Isak would regret staying at Newcastle over joining this Liverpool super-team with Arne Slot’s squad set for a thrilling 2025/26 season.
Warnock said: “He is not thinking of playing in the Champions League. He is thinking of winning the Champions League, and that is the difference with Newcastle; they’re thinking we are competing in the Champions League this year; we’ve got Champions League football at St. James’ Park.
“Whereas Liverpool are thinking of the end date, they’re thinking, ‘Who are we going to play in that final because we have just assembled a squad that is more than capable of winning this trophy?
“At some point you might have to force that issue, and it doesn’t look good, but you’re almost forced into a position to do that, and if you don’t, there can be regrets at the end of your career.”