Liverpool is expected to signal its intent this summer, equipping Arne Slot with the tools to make sure this is not a one-off Premier League triumph. The ultimate sign of ambition would be securing the transfer of Alexander Isak.
Contrary to public perception, Liverpool did actually make a splash in the transfer market after the last time it won the title. Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas swelled the ranks, while Thiago Alcantara was the most marquee addition the club had made in years.
The midfielder arrived fresh from a Champions League trophy with Bayern Munich. He was meant to elevate Liverpool even further, giving Jurgen Klopp the key to more Premier League successes.
Obviously, things did not quite pan out that way. Thiago was brilliant but his body was temperamental, and even when he was fit in his debut Anfield campaign, most of the defense was not.
That goes to show the importance of paying attention to multiple areas this summer. Liverpool does not want to be in a situation where the likes of Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak are being targeted come the end of January.
But Isak would be an even bigger signing than Thiago. No transfer is foolproof, but going out and signing the continent’s form striker from a domestic rival would show that Liverpool really means business, giving Slot the best possible chance of doing what even Klopp could not.
At 25, Isak is just entering his peak years. He has already proved himself in the best league in the world, and just about every big club in Europe would be keen on his services.
(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Without being too harsh on Darwin Nunez, it is hard to overstate how much of an upgrade it would be. Everything the Uruguayan does well, Isak does too — and then he has the finishes to match.
But is this discussion mere fantasy, or is there a realistic chance the transfer could happen? The bookies certainly seem to think it’s possible, with BetMGM pricing Isak at just +175 (7/4) to move to Liverpool.
Barcelona (+1000, 10/1) is given an outside chance of luring Isak, although it’s hard to see how it could put together a suitable financial package. Arsenal is priced at +1200 (12/1).
However, the kicker is that Isak is priced at -167 (3/5) to stay at Newcastle. If he goes anywhere, the betting markets suggest it is likely to be Liverpool — but he is considered most likely to stay exactly where he is.
And unfortunately for Liverpool, it’s hard to disagre with that assessment. There is precious little reason for Newcastle to sanction his departure.
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Things have changed a lot since last summer, when Newcastle had to scramble to get within Financial Fair Play rules. Even then, it managed to avoid selling a star player to Liverpool in Anthony Gordon, arranging deals for Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh instead.
Now, with Champions League money likely to be on its way again, Newcastle’s books will surely be looking healthier. And if the rules don’t demand that the Magpies make sales, then the bank balance certainly won’t either, with the North-East outfit backed by essentially unlimited funds since the Saudi-supported takeover.
As for Isak himself, he may well fancy a move to Liverpool, even though Newcastle’s trajectory is upward. A player’s peak-level career is only short, and Slot’s team is ready to win the biggest honors now.
But qualification for the Champions League will quieten those thoughts for the striker. And his contract, which runs until 2028, means that Newcastle holds all of the cards anyway.
The odds on a move to Liverpool are short; PSG had longer odds to beat Arsenal in the recent Champions League encounter. But the smart money still seems to be on him remaining at St James’ Park, leaving the Reds to look down their list of alternatives.
