Alexander Isak’s potential transfer to Liverpool has been the dominant story over the last few weeks.
Indeed, the addition of the Sweden international would make the Reds’ first-team squad much better, but unless an agreement can be struck over the next few days, Arne Slot may need to move on.
Although Liverpool have already spent an obscene amount of money on bolstering their ranks this summer, there’s no hiding from the fact that a new attacker is needed.
Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool applauds the fans at full time during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
This is largely due to the lack of depth that Liverpool have among their attack at the moment, especially when AFCON comes around in the winter.
Sami Mokbel believes Liverpool will have known about Alexander Isak’s statement
One of the biggest steps forward that Isak’s potential transfer to Liverpool has taken over the last week or so is the fact that he put out a statement slamming Newcastle and saying that trust had been broken.
It’s clear that Isak has his eyes set on an Anfield switch this summer, and unless things get moving soon, Isak could find himself stuck in this nightmare for at least half a season.
And, while speaking on the Football Daily Podcast, BBC Sport journalist Sami Mokbel gave his thoughts on Isak’s statement.
“Nothing can happen before the game [between Liverpool and Newcastle],” Mokbel said.
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“But, I’d be flabbergasted if Liverpool don’t make some sort of approach next week for Alexander Isak.
“In my mind, there was no way Liverpool didn’t know he would release that statement. So, after he did that, I can’t see any other outcome but Liverpool making another offer or some sort of approach for him next week.
“Whether that’s successful or not will depend on the level of money they’re prepared to put into the pot. If Liverpool have to continue to up their offer, then there’s only a certain amount of money to go round.
“The more they put into the transfer fee, the less you’d imagine they’d be able to pay Isak at Anfield. There’s certainly a catch-22 situation there.
“I can’t imagine a situation where he sits out an entire season. It sounds absolutely ludicrous to me for someone in the prime of their career to throw away a season because he didn’t get his dream move.”
Liverpool could look towards Rodrygo instead of Alexander Isak
Seeing as though negotiations for the potential transfer of Isak to Liverpool seem to have ground to a halt, it’s clear that the Reds’ focus may have to be turned elsewhere.
Even if Isak’s dream move is a transfer to Liverpool, the fact that Newcastle haven’t been able to get their hands on a single striker this summer means that their stance is unlikely to change.
At the moment, they’ll likely throw Gordon up front as a number nine, but, as shown by their first Premier League game of the 2025-26 season, he is not a striker.
Anthony Gordon pictured playing for Newcastle during a Premier League match.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Of course, only time will tell what the future has in store, but at the moment, it’s anyone’s guess what could happen.
But the fact that Liverpool have been touted to be in a two-horse race against Manchester City for Rodrygo this summer means that their attention could end up turning elsewhere sooner than many think.