Jamie Carragher has raised doubts over a potential move for Alexander Isak from Liverpool in the summer, with the former defender questioning whether the club would splash out such a large amount of money for one player.
Isak has been linked with a move to Anfield, and it’s looking increasingly likely that the Reds will be on the lookout for a new striker. Speculation continues over the future of Darwin Nunez, and with the Uruguayan enduring a new low following his penalty miss against Paris Saint-Germain, it seems a good bet that the club may look to cut its losses after three years.
When looking at potential replacements, few stand out more than Isak. The Newcastle striker has been in superb form this season, having struck 19 Premier League goals to leave him behind just Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
Newcastle though is unlikely to let him go without a fight. Reports have suggested only offers of around $193 million (£150M) will be entertained, while others have even gone as far as claiming it will take as much as $247 million (£200M) to pry him away from St James’ Park. That hefty price tag is enough for Carragher to feel a deal might not happen for Liverpool.
“That is the one little question mark against him, he’s not someone who plays every game. He’s not,” Carragher told The Redmen TV.
“And that’s when I think about Liverpool, me, personally, all round, I’d still have Haaland. I think there’s a mentality about Haaland, he’s just got that killer instinct.
“When you talk about paying £150m, for a 25-year-old, I don’t know if that’s something Liverpool would rightly look at.
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“In terms of ability wise you’d love him to play up front for Liverpool and you’d pay good dollar for him, but we just know as well as anyone the model of Liverpool, I don’t know if they pay that for someone who’s 26 next season.”
Liverpool.com says: It is very hard to imagine Liverpool paying that sort of money for just one player – although it has shown it is willing to go big if it feels the deal is justified. The massive bid for Moises Caicedo two years ago showed the Reds have the ability to spring a surprise if they deem that the player would make a big enough impact.
It certainly feels like Isak would fit that bill, especially if Salah departs in the summer. But, with plenty of other areas needing some work, it would be an almighty risk to put all the eggs in one basket.
Isak would be one hell of a coup for Liverpool, but it feels like a real longshot. If the money’s there, go for it, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of improvements in other areas.
