Liverpool Maintain Interest in Isak Despite Transfer Complications | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Pursuit of Alexander Isak Entangled in Ownership Web

Record Bid Planned for Swedish Forward

Liverpool’s interest in Alexander Isak is more than just summer speculation. The Premier League champions are reportedly ready to test Newcastle United’s resolve with a potential £120 million offer for the Sweden international. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, initial contact has been made, while Fabrizio Romano added that Liverpool “would be prepared to offer £120m for the Sweden international.”

That would represent a club-record deal, eclipsing the recent arrival of Florian Wirtz, and underline Liverpool’s ambition under Arne Slot as they prepare to defend their Premier League crown.

Isak, 25, is not only admired for his goalscoring prowess and intelligence in the final third but also for his ability to adapt to different tactical systems. With uncertainty surrounding Darwin Nunez and possible interest from the Saudi Pro League, Liverpool appear to be evaluating elite alternatives.

Photo: IMAGO

Ownership Links Create Unusual Complexity

Yet the potential deal is laced with far more than just sporting considerations. Football finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider:

“If Liverpool could get some crazy fee for Nunez out of Saudi Arabia, say to the point where they could put, let’s say £150m on the table… then you’ve just got the lunacy of a situation where on the one hand, PIF are paying for a Liverpool player and then Liverpool are just giving them the money back via Newcastle.”

The intricacies arise because Newcastle, like several clubs in the Saudi Pro League, are backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). That makes any deal involving funds going in both directions appear, at best, murky. Borson continued:

“There’s a very good chance that there’d be people looking at the deal and going, ‘Hang on a minute, those deals look connected’.”

From a regulatory standpoint, any such transactions would almost certainly draw scrutiny, especially given the ongoing debate around multi-club ownership and its implications.

Newcastle Unlikely to Sell Key Striker

Despite the apparent interest from Merseyside, it remains highly unlikely that Newcastle will sanction the departure of their star forward. With Champions League football secured, Isak’s presence is central to Eddie Howe’s strategy. His 2024/25 form played a vital role in Newcastle’s resurgence and progression under PIF ownership.

Photo IMAGO

It would take a considerable offer to change their stance, and perhaps more importantly, it would require a clean and transparent process that can withstand external regulatory pressure.

While Liverpool may feel emboldened by their recent spending power and success under Slot, prising Isak away from St James’ Park is no simple matter.

Ekitike Emerges as More Realistic Option

As Liverpool’s recruitment team surveys the landscape, attention appears to have shifted slightly toward Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt. At a quoted £75 million, he is hardly a budget signing, but still comes in well below the Isak figure. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has suggested that should Liverpool wrap up the Ekitike deal, their interest in Isak would cool significantly.

Given Newcastle’s Champions League status and the ownership complications that muddy this potential deal, that may prove a pragmatic decision. Still, few would blame Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director, for keeping the Isak door open a little longer.

A forward line of Wirtz, Salah and Isak would terrify defences across Europe, but for now, it remains more fantasy than forecast.