Liverpool still have a bit of time to welcome some new faces to their ranks this summer.
The Reds have already spent a fortune on bolstering their first-team squad, but with the amount of sales they’ve made, their net spend isn’t anywhere near some of their rivals’.
One of the main transfer stories to have emerged from Anfield this summer is the potential move of Alexander Isak to Liverpool, and even though both Isak and Liverpool want the move, Newcastle haven’t even entertained a negotiation.
Alexander Isak in action for Newcastle United during their Premier League match against West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
This has led to a massive saga developing, which has left a sour taste in the mouths of most fans.
Rio Ferdinand believes Alexander Isak shouldn’t have relied upon a gentleman’s agreement
One of the main narratives to have emerged from this saga is that Isak stated a gentleman’s agreement was in place to allow him to exit St James’ Park.
Although the particulars of the agreement haven’t been shared, Newcastle have flat-out denied its existence, and, without anything being written down, the towering Swede has no proof.
And, while speaking on the Rio Reacts Podcast, former Manchester United man Rio Ferdinand gave his thoughts on the way things have transpired thus far.
“A promise for me, unless it is down on a bit of paper, means absolutely nothing in this game of football,” Ferdinand said.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
“There’s a lot of words that get bandied about, loyalty, honesty, a gentleman’s agreement, it all means nothing in this game.
“That’s why when people start talking about it and fans do this a lot ‘ah, where’s the loyalty in the game,’ it doesn’t exist and it doesn’t exist from both sides.
“That’s the one mistake that I think that Isak, his camp, and his agent have maybe kind of got wrong.
“They’ve placed trust in words rather than trust in paperwork.”
Liverpool and Alexander Isak need to figure out what’s happening as soon as possible
Even though everyone knows that Liverpool is Isak’s dream destination and Isak is Liverpool’s dream target, things don’t seem to be going anywhere.
Ever since the summer transfer window first opened, there were talks of the Sweden international making the switch to Merseyside.
And, seeing as though a move couldn’t be pulled off before the start of the 2025-26 campaign, Liverpool opted to make a move for Hugo Ekitike instead, and, so far, that seems to have worked out rather well.
Hugo Ekitike seen in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield.
Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
However, since the Reds are lacking depth in their attacking line, a new forward needs to be brought in soon.
And, if an agreement between Isak, Liverpool and Newcastle can’t be reached, then the Anfield outfit need to turn their attention elsewhere.