Liverpool are keen to sign Alexander Isak before the end of the summer transfer window, but the Sweden striker's future remains up in the air for a number of reasons
Paul Gorst, Ian Doyle and Theo Squires
07:33, 24 Aug 2025Updated 07:34, 24 Aug 2025
Alexander Isak wants to join Liverpool in a British record transfer
Alexander Isak wants to join Liverpool in a British record transfer(Image: Getty Images)
The Alexander Isak saga has been simmering for a few days now after explosive statements earlier in the week. The talk will undoubtedly ramp up again in the build-up to Liverpool's clash with Newcastle United on Monday.
As much as the Reds hold an interest in the on-strike striker and he's keen on the move, it still feels like a lot needs to happen before a deal gets over the line. Liverpool will surely need to have their eye on some alternatives in the final week of the summer window as a result.
Over at our sister title the Liverpool Echo, their football writers have sat down to look at who Arne Slot and his team should eye up should a deal for Isak not come to fruition.
Paul Gorst
With Monday evening leaving Liverpool with a week left of the transfer window, time is of the essence if Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are to finish an exciting, history-making few months of player trading with a flourish.
The problem is, the object of their affection, Alexander Isak, is currently in the clutches of not only Newcastle United but their owners, who are the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. You get the feeling from the endless quizzing on it that Eddie Howe might like to wash his hair of the problem and reinvest a potential British-record sum back into the squad at St James' Park.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Will Arne Slot move for an alternative to Isak?(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
As he has stated several times, however, that decision is out of his hands, leaving him with no option but to promote the possibility of reintegrating the unsettled Isak. What other choice does Howe have at the moment?
But if the Saudi Arabian owners are determined to save face by cutting off their nose to spite it, then how much longer do Liverpool let this deadlock drag on from their end?
They don't hold many of the cards here.
Slot may publicly deny this, but the Reds are lacking in attack, having let Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and most recently Ben Doak go. And while it feels incredibly crass and insensitive to talk about Diogo Jota in such a way, the sad truth is that the beloved Portuguese player is no longer with us.
So Slot, Hughes and football CEO Michael Edwards might need to switch to a Plan B sooner rather than later. Especially if there's been little positive response from Newcastle by, say, next Thursday when some actions need to be taken elsewhere.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Everton FC at St James' Park on May 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak is keen on the move but Newcastle aren't budging(Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
Is there a desire to test Atletico Madrid's determination to keep Julian Alvarez?
The Argentine international would be an excellent alternative to Isak, if there's a reluctant acceptance that the 25 year old is unattainable.
Alvarez netted 17 goals for los Rojiblancos in the previous La Liga season, offering tactical versatility along with his international calibre and commitment to working hard off the ball. The ex-Manchester City player ticks more boxes than most when it comes to viable alternatives for the Reds.
Ian Doyle
Every club has a backup plan. However, there's a lingering feeling that Liverpool are set on signing Alexander Isak and won't settle for less.
The wisdom of this strategy will become clearer over the next nine days. Interestingly, if Isak doesn't join this summer, it could mirror the Virgil van Dijk situation.
When Southampton thwarted the anticipated move for Van Dijk ahead of the 2017/18 season, there were persistent calls for Liverpool to sign another centre-back. The club held firm, and sure enough, the Dutch international was in place less than six months later.
It seems likely that Isak will end up at Anfield sooner rather than later, especially given signs of Newcastle's resolve weakening recently. Could a £130million deal seal it?
It wouldn't be surprising.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 19: Julian Alvarez #19 of Atletico De Madrid looks on after the team's victory in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group B match between Seattle Sounders FC and Club Atletico de Madrid at Lumen Field on June 19, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Former Man City ace Julian Alvarez is a man in demand(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
Liverpool certainly need reinforcements in attack, but the current options aren't particularly enticing. Rumours of interest in Real Madrid's Rodrygo seem to be driven by his agent, and the reported financial package wouldn't make much sense for the Reds.
Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid is another name but the suggestion is he left Manchester City because he couldn't settle in England and the North West in particular.
Should Isak not move to Liverpool before the September 1 deadline, it may be that the Reds try again in the New Year and continue for the first half of the season with their current attacking options. Don't be surprised if there is no Plan B.
Theo Squires
Arne Slot has already admitted that Liverpool need a new forward before the transfer window closes, even if he also insists the Reds would boast another depth in attack without a new arrival.
But that does not change the fact that the Dutchman had six senior international forwards to choose from last season. He currently boasts four specialists, with back-up Federico Chiesa a player who barely got a sniff last season.
Sure, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and - if he stays put - Harvey Elliott all offer additional depth. But having waved off both Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, also cashed in on Ben Doak and had to contend with the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, Slot's hand is currently not as strong as last summer.
And that's without taking Mohamed Salah's looming mid-season departure to the Africa Cup of Nations into consideration too.
Alexander Isak is clearly Liverpool's top target, and it will be interesting to see if Newcastle United are more willing to part with the disgruntled Swede after their Monday night clash with the Reds.
If they remain steadfast, Liverpool may need to explore other options. Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid would be an ideal alternative, but it would be quite a last-minute coup if they were to suddenly chase the Argentine now.
Perhaps then, if Isak is out of reach at present, the Reds would be better off shifting focus to a different forward rather than a striker. If the Swede continues his strike, there will be future chances to sign him.
And even if not, Liverpool are no strangers to playing the long game in transfer sagas - the signing of Virgil van Dijk in January 2018 being a prime example.
Rodrygo sitting on the bench for Real Madrid
Real Madrid's Rodrygo is another name in the frame(Image: Getty)
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The Reds can afford to bide their time for their dream centre-forward while strengthening their attack in the meantime. Rodrygo appears set to leave Real Madrid, and Liverpool have also been linked with Lyon's Malick Fofana throughout the summer.
Either player would add versatility and quality to Slot's attacking line-up, with Liverpool still having options in central positions. The Reds can afford to wait for Isak, but Newcastle's obstinacy shouldn't prevent them from securing a forward in the closing days of the transfer window.