Liverpool’s hopes of landing Alexander Isak this summer have taken a blow with reports that Newcastle United have no intentions of selling its star striker in the off season.
The Swede was on target at Wembley as the Magpies beat Arne Slot’s side 2-1 to lift the Carabao Cup at the weekend, one of 23 goals the prolific forward has contributed in all competitions this term. In comparison, Liverpool strikers Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota floundered in Sunday’s final.
That has heightened the talk of Liverpool’s need to sign a center-forward this summer, something Jamie Carragher has called for in the wake of the Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain losses last week. However, if the Reds have identified Isak as their primary target, it could well end in disappointment.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has instructed the club’s hierarchy ‘to resist any offers’ for Isak. The report adds the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment fund is ‘adamant’ that his personal favorite player won’t depart at the end of the campaign and an asking price has not even been discussed internally.
The club is even exploring options over a new deal for Isak and a return to the Champions League could help Newcastle afford an improved salary. Meanwhile, Liverpool isn’t the only side said to be keen on the former Real Sociedad man, with the Mail adding that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is a ‘huge admirer of Isak’. Chelsea and Arsenal have also previously been linked.
It comes as recent reports state it would take a record British transfer fee of around £150million ($194m) to lure Isak from St James’ Park, a fee that it seems unlikely FSG would be willing to part with.
Sunday’s Wembley win was the 25-year-old’s 100th game for Newcastle and he has netted 58 times in that period. Only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland have scored more than Isak’s 19 in the Premier League this term, with Isak bagging 15 in his last 14 league appearances.
He also provided 21 Premier League goals last term and was asked in the build-up to the Carabao Cup final whether he is the best striker in the world.
