Liverpool has been handed a transfer blow after it emerged that Newcastle is increasingly confident of keeping hold of Alexander Isak beyond the summer transfer window.
The Sweden international has established himself as one of the best strikers in Europe this season, netting 24 goals in 35 appearances for Eddie Howe’s side. His form has led to links with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, with both clubs expected to be in the market for a new striker this summer.
Liverpool is expected to offload Darwin Nunez in the off-season after three underwhelming years at Anfield, while Arsenal is also in need of a dependable goal-scorer, having gone into this season with just Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as options up front — neither of whom are prolific and both of whom suffered season-ending injuries several months ago.
Isak joined Newcastle in the same summer that Nunez moved to Liverpool, but while the Swede has flourished in the north east, Nunez has toiled on Merseyside. Unfortunately for Liverpool, though, it seems unlikely that it will be able to replace Nunez with Isak this summer, as the Magpies are apparently confident of keeping hold of him for at least another season.
Isak has three years left on his current Newcastle contract and the Daily Mail reports that it is unlikely that there will be any buyers willing to stump up the £150 million ($194 million) that could tempt his current club to sell him.
(Image: 2025 Visionhaus)
Isak, 25, is contracted to Newcastle until 2028, so the Magpies are in a strong position, but should they fail to qualify for the Champions League, Isak could agitate for a move. It was reported in March that Isak had paused talks over a contract renewal at Newcastle as he was unhappy with the initial terms that had been offered to him.
Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid on Tuesday night was enough to confirm that the Premier League’s top five teams at the end of this season will all qualify for the Champions League. Newcastle has won four of its last five league games to move up to fifth, and has a game in hand on all the teams around them.
It was reported by Tribune last month that Isak favored a move to Barcelona, but that he would not turn down a move to Liverpool if the chance to move to Anfield presented itself. Barcelona is believed to be closely monitoring Isak’s situation as it looks for a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who will turn 37 in August. Barcelona, though, was hit by fresh allegations of financial impropriety earlier this month, which could cast the Catalan club’s ability to finance a move for Isak into doubt.
