Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore believes that Alexander Isak’s future is almost certain with the Swedish striker out of favour at Newcastle.
Isak has been training alone after opting out of the Magpies’ pre-season tour of Asia and briefly returned to former club Real Sociedad to retain fitness. Newcastle, who value the 25-year-old at more than £150 million, have so far stood firm, rejecting an initial £110 million bid from Liverpool, but the saga appears far from over.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is hopeful to retain Isak next season, but has admitted that he “cannot involve” the striker in the club’s preparations for the new Premier League season. Reports suggested Isak has been told by the club that he will not be sold this summer, but boss Howe claims that he “has no knowledge” of such a decision.
Collymore, who scored 35 goals in 81 appearances for Liverpool between 1995 and 1997, sees only one outcome if Newcastle do relent.
Writing in his regular column, the 54-year-old is confident Anfield is Isak’s most likely destination and the Premier League champions have been laying the groundwork for over a year.
“I can only see Alexander Isak joining Liverpool if he does leave Newcastle, which is now expected. I think this has been something that’s been ongoing probably for 12 months or more.
I think the expectation from Newcastle was that it was going to be next season that other clubs were going to bid. A lot of fans will want him to be sold abroad, but it doesn’t work like that. If the player say that they’re going to down tools unless you let me go to this specific club, it’s very, very difficult for the club.”
The Reds’ interest in Isak appeared to cool earlier this summer when Newcastle refused to entertain negotiations, prompting a pivot towards Hugo Ekitike, who has since signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79 million. But with the Swedish international now actively pushing for an exit, Liverpool could return to the table with an improved offer.
If they do land their man, Collymore spoke in awe of the potential firepower that would be at Arne Slot’s disposal.
“If they were to get Isak across the line, you’ve got Diaz, Gakpo, Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike, and potentially Isak. That’s five top-quality front players.”
Should Isak arrive, Liverpool’s spending could top £400 million following the arrivals of big signings Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.
For now Isak remains a Newcastle player, but with three weeks left of the transfer window one move from Liverpool could bring the saga of the summer to a close.
