Liverpool and Arsenal have both been priced out of a move for Newcastle star Alexander Isak. The Sweden star has emerged as one of the hottest strikers in the Premier League in recent years, and is Mohamed Salah’s closest challenger in the division’s top scorer standings.
Isak’s 61 goals in 106 appearances for Newcastle have prompted top clubs to earmark him as a transfer target ahead of the summer window, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona among the sides keen on 25-year-old.
Newcastle is believed to value Isak at around £150 million ($200 million), which puts him out of reach — even for clubs with the financial might of the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.
The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules mean that clubs must keep a close eye on their spending in the transfer market or risk recording three-year losses greater than the amount that the rules permit, thus leaving offending clubs open to sanctions from the league.
Liverpool expects there to be a strong market for Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez this summer having rejected interest from several clubs in Saudi Arabia during the January window.
But he would not bring in enough money to allow Liverpool to sign Isak while also addressing the other areas in the squad that are in need of strengthening.
Liverpool will not financially benefit from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impending move to Real Madrid, as he is leaving as a free agent, but the club still needs to strengthen at right-back to offset his departure.
A new left-back is also on the agenda, as is a new center-back; Bournemouth pair Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen, who are high up on Liverpool’s list of targets, would be expected to cost well in excess of $100 million combined.
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“Liverpool is in decent financial shape but its ongoing commitments are significant. So I wouldn’t be expecting big, big acquisitions for Liverpool this summer,” Professor Rob Wilson, a football finance expert and programme director at the University Campus of Football Business said.
“It appears to me it has backed itself into an almost unmanageable corner with the Van Dijk and Salah contract negotiations – the club is spending a huge amount on those two contracts which it can’t now re-invest in the playing squad.
“Those two players haven’t got any resale value, which may be a problem in two or three years. I’d estimate it’ll be net expenditure of £100 million ($136 million), perhaps, this summer which in today’s market requires smart investment.
“I don’t think Liverpool could afford Isak, PSR-wise, with the valuations Newcastle is looking at. It would blow the entire budget in one fell swoop if it did do it and that’s not something we’d associate with Liverpool’s approach.”
