Mark OgdenJul 28, 2025, 09:52 AM ETCloseMark Ogden is a senior soccer writer for ESPN.com.Read his archive hereand follow him on Twitter:@MarkOgden_.Follow on X
Mark OgdenJul 28, 2025, 09:52 AM ET
CloseMark Ogden is a senior soccer writer for ESPN.com.Read his archive hereand follow him on Twitter:@MarkOgden_.Follow on X
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Alexander Isakis the nextMohamed Salah. He just needs to become aLiverpoolplayer to prove it.
While Liverpool’s summer spending spree amounts to £270 million so far onFlorian Wirtz,Hugo Ekitike,Milos KerkezandJeremie Frimpong, sources have told ESPN that thePremier Leaguechampions continue to pursue a move for Isak despite Newcastle rejecting an initial inquiry two weeks ago.
If the wheels begin to turn in Liverpool’s favor and a deal for Isak suddenly becomes a real possibility, it will likely involve a fee in the region of £150 million to sign the Sweden forward — a fee that would take their transfer outlay since the end of last season beyond £400 million. It’s a staggering number for a club that has traditionally been outspent by Premier League rivalsManchester City,ChelseaandManchester United, but there are two reasons why Liverpool are prepared to break the bank for Isak amid their busy summer.
First of all, they can afford it — an explanation follows — and secondly, sources have told ESPN that this transfer window has been identified by the Anfield hierarchy as the one in which they build their team for the next five years and Isak is key to that.
-How Ekitike ended up at Liverpool, what they’re getting-Darke: Can Liverpool rally and win the league again?-Will Ekitike be a hit or flop? Here’s why he’s hard to scout
With Salah, now 33, committing to a new two-year contract this summer, there is a realization at Liverpool that their talismanic forward must be replaced at some stage in the near future.
And while the numbers for Isak are potentially huge, by signing him now, Liverpool will have their Salah replacement locked in, and the task of replacing the old Salah-Sadio Mané-Roberto Firminoforward line will be complete.
In the space of one window, at a possible combined cost of £350 million, the signings of Wirtz, Ekitike and (if they get their wish) Isak will give Liverpool their attacking unit for the next five years at least.
The uncertainty over Isak’s future at Newcastle continues to grow due to his absence from the club’s preseason tour of Singapore andSouth Korea. ESPN reported last week that Isak has made it clear he wants to consider the options of a move away from St James’ Park. Liverpool’s next move in their pursuit of the 25-year-old will decide whether he moves to Anfield this summer or if Newcastle reject any prospect of the player leaving the club while he still has three years remaining on his contract.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said just over a week ago, after leaving Isak out of a preseason friendly againstCelticin Glasgow, that he was “confident” his star striker would still be at the club when the transfer window closes on Sept.
1, but speaking in Singapore at the weekend, Howe hinted at Isak’s future being taken out of his hands by saying, “Ultimately, the decision will rest with the board.”
Source: Espnsoccer
