David Ornstein: Liverpool must decide whether to meet Newcastle’s asking price | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Pursuit of Alexander Isak: A Transfer Gamble Worth Taking?

Liverpool are no strangers to making big moves in the transfer market. Under Arne Slot, the club is entering a pivotal period where squad reinforcements are necessary, and the name currently making headlines is Alexander Isak. According to David Ornstein in The Athletic, the Newcastle United striker has emerged as a key target for Liverpool this summer. However, prising the Swede away from St James’ Park will be no easy feat.

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Isak’s Price Tag and Liverpool’s Interest

Newcastle have made their stance clear: they do not want to sell their star forward. Isak has over three years left on his contract, is well-paid, and is central to Eddie Howe’s project. Yet, as Ornstein explains:

That price, steep as it is, could bring Newcastle to the negotiating table. It is a figure that Arsenal, another club linked with Isak, may struggle to meet, giving Liverpool an advantage in the race.

With Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s futures still unresolved, Liverpool’s squad could look dramatically different next season. If Darwin Núñez departs, the necessity for a top-tier striker becomes even more urgent. Isak fits the bill perfectly—fast, technical, and lethal in front of goal. However, spending £150m on one player is a bold gamble, particularly for a club that has prided itself on smart, efficient recruitment in recent years.

Will Newcastle Be Forced to Sell?

Newcastle’s reluctance to sell is understandable. Isak has been instrumental for them, and there is no immediate financial pressure to cash in. However, as Ornstein points out:

Yet, the reality of Financial Fair Play (FFP) could force their hand. Newcastle’s ambitious spending since their takeover has been significant, and selling a marquee player like Isak might be a necessary sacrifice to balance the books while still allowing further squad investment.

If Liverpool are serious about Isak, they will need to determine whether Newcastle’s resolve is truly unbreakable or if a structured offer, potentially including add-ons or incentives, could shift their stance. Slot’s Liverpool cannot afford to waste time chasing a player who is ultimately unavailable.

A Transfer Saga Set to Dominate the Summer

Ornstein believes Isak’s situation will be one of the defining stories of the transfer window:

For Newcastle, keeping Isak is about ambition and competitiveness. For Liverpool, signing him would represent a statement of intent—a new spearhead for an evolving attack. But for all the talk of £150m bids, the question remains: does this deal make financial sense for Liverpool, or is it a high-stakes pursuit with no clear endgame?

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool fans, the idea of signing Alexander Isak provokes mixed emotions. On one hand, he is exactly the type of dynamic, clinical forward who could elevate Slot’s system and provide a long-term replacement for Salah or Núñez. But on the other hand, £150m for one player? That is not how Liverpool operate.

Historically, Liverpool’s transfer strategy has been built around value for money, not throwing massive fees at players unless absolutely necessary. Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker were transformative signings, but both were made in response to clear, obvious deficiencies in the squad. Does Isak justify that level of spending?

Photo: IMAGO

Then there is the Newcastle factor. The club’s owners have deep pockets, and while FFP might eventually squeeze them, there is no guarantee they will budge. If Liverpool spend months chasing a player who ultimately stays at St James’ Park, it could be a huge distraction from other key targets.

Would Liverpool be better off exploring alternatives? For £150m, multiple high-quality additions could be made across different positions. If Slot is serious about building a team capable of competing on all fronts, a single marquee signing may not be the most logical route.

Still, if Newcastle do show any sign of wavering, Liverpool must be ready. Isak would undoubtedly thrive in a high-tempo, attacking system, and at just 24, he has his best years ahead of him. But this deal, if it happens, would need to be on Liverpool’s terms—not Newcastle’s.