This summer, Liverpool is expected to be the biggest mover in the transfer market. The possibility of Liverpool pursuing Swedish striker Alexander Isak (26, Newcastle United) has been raised.
On the 26th (Korea time), the British 'Daily Mail' reported that journalist Louis Steel recently appeared on the podcast 'Whistleblowers' and stated, 'It is by no means impossible for Liverpool to target Newcastle striker Isak,' also noting, 'There is a possibility.'
Liverpool has already spent £182 million (about 338.7 billion won) this summer, bringing in Florian Wirtz (22), Jeremy Frimpong (24), and Milos Kerkes (21).
However, Liverpool has planned to make contact again if Isak hits the market. The Swedish national team striker Isak has risen as one of Europe's top scorers, recording 23 goals and 6 assists in 34 league matches and totaling 27 goals and 6 assists in 42 matches during the 2024-2025 season.
Steel claimed, 'Newcastle has already mentioned the amounts and transfer fees, and when they move that way, it could signal that there is something going on.' He assessed the possibility to be around 30%.
Isak currently has 2 years left on his contract with Newcastle. It is reported that Newcastle is seeking a transfer fee of around £150 million (approximately 278.9 billion won). This figure could break the record for the highest transfer fee in British football history.
Newcastle has secured its spot in next season's UEFA Champions League and has also tightened regulations for fiscal sustainability (PSR). Therefore, they are in a favorable negotiating position, as there is no need to let Isak go.
However, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who is also a fan of Newcastle, warned, 'There is definitely a price at which the club must do business,' adding, 'Fans will be furious if Isak is sold. They will view it as a betrayal of the owner's promise to build an 'elite European team.'
He further explained, 'The phrase 'we will not sell the player' that I have heard is all nonsense. Every player has a price. If Newcastle says £200 million, that is likely a message to the league that 'you cannot buy this player.'
Clattenburg expressed concern, saying, 'The issue for Newcastle is Isak's contract. His value is high right now, but if they insist on fulfilling the contract, a situation like Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid) could arise.'
'That said, if they sell him, the fans will explode. Newcastle needs to become a club that can challenge Liverpool and Manchester City,' he pointed out, adding, 'Replacing a player like Isak is realistically not easy for Newcastle in the current situation.'
Steel disclosed that the close relationship between Richard Hughes, Liverpool's Director General, and Eddie Howe, Newcastle's manager, could influence negotiations. He emphasized, 'If Newcastle truly does not intend to sell, Hughes will likely already know.'
'The fact that Liverpool is still circling around Isak may signal that something could happen in the coming weeks,' he suggested, weighing in on the transfer possibility.
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