Alan Shearer has been adamant since the links between Alexander Isak and Liverpool were first shared that the Sweden international would end up staying at Newcastle.
However, even though Liverpool had their first bid for Isak rebuffed, it seems like the 25-year-old is doing everything in his power to force a move.
The striker is one of the best in the Premier League, and if he does end up joining the Reds, it’d be a major statement of intent from Arne Slot.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, reacts during the first pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Athletic Club Bilbao at Anfield.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Indeed, the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo can both be used at striker but with the quality that Isak possesses, it’s clear that he’d end up being first choice and would end up taking Liverpool to another level.
Alan Shearer believes Alexander Isak is worth every penny of the £150m Newcastle want
One of the main reasons why Liverpool haven’t managed to sign Isak yet is because, now that Calum Wilson has left, Isak is Newcastle’s only number nine.
Indeed, Eddie Howe has tried to sign multiple strikers to replace him this season, but at the moment, nothing has come to fruition.
And now, in quotes summarised by BBC’s Match of the Day, Alan Shearer has given his thoughts on a potential deal being struck.
“In recent years we have seen Enzo Fernandez, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish go for around £100million,” he said.
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“So, if that is the bar, they [Liverpool] are never going to get Isak, a 25-year-old striker who has scored 44 Premier League goals across the past two seasons, for £110m.
“I don’t think you’d get Dan Burn for that, to be honest. Newcastle have named their price, which is nearer to £150m, so we will have to see what Liverpool do next.”
Liverpool can’t throw the rest of their transfer kitty towards signing Alexander Isak
Although the addition of Isak to Slot’s ranks would no doubt make Liverpool one of the best teams in the world, £150million still feels rather steep.
Indeed, the attacker still has three years left on his current deal at St James’ Park, but with the Reds still needing one or two new centre-backs and potentially a winger, they need to keep some of their money close to their chest.
The signing of Isak could end up being more useful than the addition of any of the aforementioned positions, but, at the moment, it’s clear that Slot needs at least one new centre-back added to his ranks.
Joe Gomez is seen as the main backup to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, but when his injury history is taken into account, he’s hardly reliable.
Joe Gomez of Liverpool leaves the pitch injured during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at the London Stadium
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
At the moment, it’s anyone’s guess what could happen, but if the Anfield outfit are serious about signing Isak, they’re going to have to put their second bid in sharp-ish.
Otherwise, the Magpies won’t have enough time to find a suitable replacement.