Liverpool are considering a move for Alexander Isak but how much should they realistically offer for the Newcastle United striker?
Newcastle United are slowly fuming while Liverpool are, at least officially, just watching and biding their time. So continues the Alexander Isak transfer intrigue.
While not a saga – it’s only been a few weeks, folks – there’s certainly growing agitation in the North East that speculation is intensifying over the Reds making a move for a player who has made clear to the Magpies he would be open to a fresh challenge.
Are respective ducks first being put in a row, with Newcastle bringing in replacements and Liverpool raising funds through sales? It’s possible. But the real question is just how much should the Reds be willing to offer should they finally make a move for Isak? Our ECHO writers take a look…
Ian DoyleThere’s no doubt Alexander Isak is a good footballer. With there a shortfall of decent strikers in the current game, his value will have increased accordinglyHe has improved notably since arriving at Newcastle three years ago, and has regularly been a thorn in the side of Liverpool, not least in the League Cup final back in March.
He’s a proven goalscorer in the Premier League while having, touch wood, addressed the injury concerns of earlier in his career
Oh, and he would seemingly be the perfect fit for a Liverpool attack being remoulded by Arne Slot.But £150million, the high end of the price range being touted for Isak, is a lot of money. Hey, £130m, which is at the lower end, is also a lot of money. Particularly when the Reds have already committed to a £116m spend to sign Florian Wirtz.
The market, though, dictates the price. Newcastle aren’t under any immediate financial pressure to sell, although that can perhaps be countered by the fact that, if rumours presumably coming out of the Isak camp are to be believed, the player only wants a move to Liverpool.
So the reality is £130m seems about the right price. But if the Reds open with a £120m offer plus add-ons – and how they have become important in recent years – Newcastle would be duty bound to at least give it a bit of a think
Theo SquiresLiverpool will have to break the British transfer record (again) to sign Alexander Isak. While perhaps now resigned to his departure, Newcastle United would still prefer not to lose the prolific Swede – who has established himself as one of the very best centre-forwards around
The Reds committed to spending £116m when signing Florian Wirtz earlier this summer, and it goes without saying that Isak is going to cost more.
It has been suggested that Liverpool would be willing to pay around £120m while Newcastle had placed an £150m asking-price on Isak’s head. Of course, his insistence now that he would like to move on weakens their hand.
A compromise would need to be reached, but it does feel increasingly likely that the Reds will get their man – given his desire to move on.
A deal of around £130m should surely be enough to secure his signature, taking Liverpool’s overall spending for the summer so far past the £400m barrier.
It is a considerable fee to spend on the 25-year-old. But given the Reds’ woes at centre-forward last season, bringing in a forward who has scored 52 goals from 82 games over the past two campaigns will strengthen their already enhanced hand even further.
And with the likes of Wirtz and Mohamed Salah supplying the ammunition, few would disagree that the arrival of Isak would cement Liverpool’s place as title favourites. If he could recreate his scoring record at Anfield to help the Reds challenge for Premier League and Champions League glory, it won’t be long before he is paying back what is set to be a hefty fee.
Joe RimmerLiverpool want Alexander Isak and Alexander Isak wants Liverpool. The only thing they have to do, then, is convince Newcastle United to sell.
That is easier said than done.Isak is a proven Premier League goalscorer, operating in the prime years of his career and with a profile that will likely fit in with how Liverpool set-up under Arne Slot.
All that means Liverpool will have to break their own British transfer record fee of £116m paid to sign Florian Wirtz this summer. Newcastle are believed to want around £150m. The Reds, meanwhile, were willing to pay £120m. Perhaps a compromise can be reached.
The Reds, though, have the money and have built the infrastructure to enable them to afford such a deal. And so whether it’s £120m, £130m or £150m, if Liverpool believe Isak can help them achieve their goals of winning the biggest prizes then what of it?
Liverpool have smashed transfer fees before. Whether that was for Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker or more recently on Wirtz. If they believe they are good enough, they will pay it. Nobody bats an eyelid about the money Liverpool parted with for Van Dijk or Alisson.
Liverpool have the money and the intention, the ball is in Newcastle’s court. Name a price.