Alexander Isak ‘upset’ after Newcastle reject £120 million Liverpool transfer talks

Newcastle United are determined to retain Liverpool target Alexander Isak.

Alexander Isak is apparently dissatisfied with Newcastle United’s current performance, while his club’s future remains uncertain. Liverpool approached the Magpies about a British record £120 million transfer, but the board is keen to support Eddie Howe by keeping the Swedish striker.

Isak has steadily improved since joining from Real Sociedad for £63 million in January 2023. He scored 10 goals in his debut half-season and has since exceeded the 20-goal mark in consecutive Premier League seasons, finishing second only to Mohamed Salah in last season’s scoring tallies. Practically every major club in Europe would want to get Isak, but Liverpool is the only one that has made a real effort thus far.

Their inquiries about the potential of making a mega-money deal were quickly turned down, with the Toon unwilling to sell for any price. Anfield bosses have rapidly moved on to Hugo Ekitike, outbidding Newcastle for the Frenchman.

Although Isak is not likely to try to push his way out of the northeast, he is said to be ‘upset’ with his contract position. The 25-year-old is under contract for another three years, but a fresh and improved package would make it easier to keep his head from turning.

According to The Sun, contract negotiations have come to a halt, with ‘no progress’ made toward reaching an agreement on an extension. Last year, Isak’s camp was ‘promised’ that his £130,000 weekly wage would be increased.

Although the Magpies are willing to make Isak the highest-paid player in their history, paying him more than £200,000 per week, there are still worries about his long-term commitment to the club.

Newcastle were forced to go with plan B after abandoning talks to sign Ekitike. They have indicated interest in Yoane Wissa, but that deal may also be off the table because Manchester United are expected to sign Bryan Mbeumo, and Brentford will not allow both of its best strikers to depart in the same transfer window.

Newcastle were forced to go with plan B after abandoning talks to sign Ekitike. They have indicated interest in Yoane Wissa, but that deal may also be off the table because Manchester United are expected to sign Bryan Mbeumo, and Brentford will not allow both of its best strikers to depart in the same transfer window.

Anthony Elanga is Newcastle’s sole senior acquisition since the end of the season, when Howe stated that he expected the board to move quickly in the market.

“We have to be dynamic,” he explained. “We have to be ready to wrap things up swiftly because good players do not stay around for long. That has always been my thought and message regarding recruitment.”

Alexander Isak: How can Liverpool afford the Newcastle striker?

Liverpool have already spent more than £170 million this summer, and they are now interested in a player whose signing would need them to surpass the British transfer record.

A package for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is expected to cost up to £130 million, bringing their summer spending to £300 million.

It’s quite a jump.

The Premier League champions spent only £10 million on Italy winger Federico Chiesa and £25 million on Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during last year’s summer transfer window.

This summer, Liverpool bought midfielder Florian Wirtz for a potential British record £116 million, as well as full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong for £40 million and £30 million, respectively.

Their sights are now fully focused on a striker.

According to BBC Sport, while Liverpool has looked into other centre-forward options, they have recently made a move towards signing Isak.

While he remains the dream goal, the Reds are also interested in Hugo Ekitike, for whom Newcastle’s £70 million bid was turned down by Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday.

Liverpool has also scouted Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as they consider several striker possibilities.

So, how can Arne Slot’s team afford to spend so much on players, and do they have the funds to invest more?

Can Liverpool afford Isak?

Liverpool’s income has increased this year due to a number of crucial variables.

They received £175 million in prize money for winning the Premier League; last season was the club’s first full season with an expanded Anfield Road End and a higher capacity; and, as of August 1, they have a new kit deal with Adidas, which some reports value at £60 million per season, more than their current partnership with Nike.

These considerations, together with comparatively low transfer spending in past seasons, place Liverpool comfortably inside the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which limit teams to losses of £105 million over three years.

“Liverpool are a super smart football club,” Kieran Maguire, a football finance expert, told BBC Sport.

“They are in an extremely strong PSR position.” They have spent the least of the traditional major six clubs in this three-year cycle, with £325 million, including the signing of Florian Wirtz.

“They still have plenty of wriggle room in their transfer budget. Furthermore, a striker transfer is likely to be paid in instalments, allowing the expense to be stretched across several seasons.”

Their situation might be improved much further. On Tuesday, they turned down a £58.6 million opening bid from Bayern Munich for forward Luis Diaz.

While Liverpool has stated that Diaz is not for sale, they are believed to be willing to selling Darwin Nunez, who has attracted attention from Napoli and Saudi Arabia.

‘The Liverpool model has been to disregard the noise.’

According to the graph above, Liverpool’s net transfer spends in the three seasons before 2024-25 were -£17.8 million, £92.5 million, and £49.8 million.

Manchester United’s net spending in the previous three seasons has been £119 million, £133 million, and £190 million, respectively.

“Liverpool have been outside the top-10 spenders on player signings since 2019, but their model is a classic case of being smarter rather than bigger,” claimed Maguire.

“Liverpool’s model has been to ignore the noise and only buy a player who will significantly strengthen the squad. It’s Moneyball.

Who else could be interested in Isak?
Newcastle have stated throughout the summer that their key players, including Isak, are not for sale.

Newcastle, like Liverpool, is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and has a comfortable PSR position.

Isak has three years left on his deal, so he will most likely have to actively pursue a move.

Aside from Liverpool, few other teams in the market for a striker could afford Isak’s reputed £130 million fee.

“As the most profitable club in Premier League history, Arsenal could easily spend over £200m in the window and have no PSR concerns,” according to Maguire.

Despite speculation that Isak may join Arsenal, the Gunners are poised to complete a full agreement with Sporting for the 73.5 million euros (£63.5 million) transfer of striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

Manchester City are unlikely to be in the market for a striker, as Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush have long contracts.

United’s ability to cover Isak’s salary without big player sales appears dubious, given that they will miss out on Champions League action next season.

This transfer window, Chelsea signed attackers Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.

“In theory, Tottenham could also afford Isak,” Maguire explained. “But whether the player would want to move from a team who finished fifth to one who finished 17th is a whole other story.”