Hendrick on Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak and Newcastle’s hidden pressure | OneFootball

Isak, Liverpool and Newcastle: Dave Hendrick Unpacks a £135m Power Play

On a special episode of Anfield Index Pro Plus, Dave Hendrick delivered what he described as “an emergency” update, reacting to David Ornstein’s report that Liverpool have formally approached Newcastle United to sign Alexander Isak. “We want your boy,” Hendrick declared, quoting the Reds’ apparent message to the Magpies. “We want to sign Alexander Isak.”

What followed was a rapid-fire breakdown of financials, player leverage, transfer strategy and elite mentality that painted a vivid picture of why Liverpool are going all in, and why Isak may well be ready to move.

Financial leverage and Newcastle’s dilemma

Hendrick made it crystal clear that this approach did not come without encouragement from the Isak camp. “We don’t approach Newcastle for Alexander Isak without a green light from his camp,” he stated. “We know he wants to move. They know he wants to move.”

While Newcastle continue to posture publicly that the Swede is not for sale, Hendrick highlighted the financial logic behind a potential £135 million sale. “The £60 million they spent on him in 2022 is now £24 million of book value on their accounts,” he explained. “If they sell Isak for £135 million, that’s £111 million of profit on their books.”

That, in Hendrick’s view, gives Newcastle substantial room to manoeuvre. He calculated a hypothetical scenario in which Newcastle replace Isak with Hugo Ekitike for £75 million, and add Elanga, Trafford, Gallagher and Scalvini for further amortised fees. The result? “Two players gone and six coming in, they’re £70 million in profit for the year.”

Isak wants to win – not just compete

Hendrick was unequivocal in describing the mindset behind Isak’s rumoured desire to leave St James’ Park. “The elite players do not want to play in the Champions League. They want to win the Champions League. The elite players don’t just want to play in the Premier League. They want to win the Premier League.”

While Newcastle made the top four previously, Hendrick made a compelling case that Isak’s ambitions align more closely with a club like Liverpool under Arne Slot. “Isak got a little taste last year. He won a League Cup. But a League Cup is not satisfying a player of his ability.”

At Liverpool, he argued, Isak would not only be stepping into a title-winning side, he would be surrounded by what Hendrick described as “eight of the best players in the league in each position,” including Alisson, Van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Salah and Florian Wirtz.

Tactical threat and elite identity

Hendrick believes Isak may already be the most complete striker in the Premier League. “He might not be the best goal scorer, that may well still be Haaland, but Isak is a much better footballer than Haaland and he does a lot more for his team.”

And Liverpool know it. “They’ve zeroed in on Isak,” Hendrick said. “And I think they know Isak wants the move. I think his people have said to us that he wants that move.”

In a fascinating twist, he referenced how the move could also destabilise Newcastle’s own transfer plans. “Either give us Isak or we’re going to take Ekitike… then you’re going to have an unhappy number nine.” That number nine being Isak himself.

Deal structure, Edwards, and the ‘thick as thieves’ connection

Hendrick also delved into the behind-the-scenes relationships between the key figures involved. “Who is the de facto sporting director at Newcastle? Oh, it’s Eddie Howe. So who would they be contacting at Newcastle? Almost certainly Eddie Howe.”

He added that Richard Hughes, Michael Edwards and Howe are “thick as thieves,” suggesting Liverpool’s approach is “coordinated” and “purposeful.” There’s also confidence that the finances will not be a barrier. “We can absolutely finance Isak and Rodrygo and a backup centre back this summer,” he said.

As for the broader implications of signing Isak, Hendrick didn’t hold back. “If we get Isak, it’s probably over for the rest of the league. If we got Isak and Rodrigo, let’s just wake them all up in five years.”