‘Door is Open’ for Liverpool’s Move to Sign Alexander Isak after £70m Transfer Decision | OneFootball

Liverpool Move Closer to Alexander Isak Deal Amid £70m Transfer Decision

Darwin Núñez’s Anfield journey looks set to end this summer, with Al Hilal closing in on a £70 million deal to bring the Uruguayan striker to the Saudi Pro League. While Núñez departs with the admiration of a fanbase that always appreciated his effort and heart, the decision to sell him is less emotional and far more strategic. This is not about giving up on a player too soon — it’s about restoring structure, purpose, and authority to Liverpool’s recruitment and squad evolution. When FSG gave power to a new executive regime, it was with a remit to grow a world-class brand and establish itself as a true footballing powerhouse, one that would be built upon continual regeneration and sustainability.

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have been handed full control of football operations, and this is their clearest statement yet. The decision to sanction Núñez’s departure — despite his popularity and flashes of brilliance — demonstrates that Liverpool are no longer willing to compromise on fit, consistency, or financial logic. The fact that the Reds will recoup nearly all of the initial outlay due to the smart structuring of the original deal and several untriggered add-ons is testament to the negotiating skill now being in charge at Anfield.

More importantly, the sale enables Liverpool to act swiftly and decisively in pursuing Alexander Isak. With Newcastle demanding upwards of £130 million, the £70 million windfall from Al Hilal can be immediately leveraged as a down payment as they look to land their replacement target. It’s a domino move — one that only works if Liverpool are willing to detach sentiment from strategy. And this summer, that’s exactly what they’ve done, with continuation assured.

Edwards and Hughes Take Control

Under Jürgen Klopp, particularly in the latter half of his tenure, Liverpool’s transfer process became increasingly manager-led. While Klopp’s authority and achievements were rightly respected, it created tension between long-term squad planning and short-term fixes. The decision to bypass targets like Alexander Isak and Christopher Nkunku in favour of Darwin Núñez was emblematic of that shift — and one that led to imbalanced recruitment. The drop off in standards was staggering at one point and can be used as a rule to turn over assets quickly and efficiently.

Michael Edwards, having previously walked away from the club amid frustrations over his diminishing influence, has returned as CEO of Football with total authority. Richard Hughes, his handpicked sporting director, is already operating with the same data-driven, market-smart philosophy that defined Liverpool’s golden era of squad building. In that context, Núñez’s departure is not a misstep corrected — it’s a philosophy restored and closes the chapter on a front line that never truly suited the brainchild of his employer.

The decision to part ways with both Darwin and Luis Díaz this summer — two high-profile, big-money South American attackers — reinforces the direction of travel under Arne Slot. Liverpool is no longer chasing chaos or emotion, with a head coach built to deliver surgical precision. They are building towards an attacking unit that is durable, intelligent, and better suited to Slot’s positional play system. There’s no desire to patch holes or cling to past promises; there is only forward movement. And in that framework, Núñez simply didn’t fit.

A Final Window Before the Curtain Rises

As the 2025/26 season edges closer, Liverpool is shaping up for another title tilt. The Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday, August 10, will be the club’s first competitive outing since lifting the Premier League trophy in May. Between now and the close of the current transfer window, 2–3 more arrivals are expected, with wide areas and central depth still being monitored. The club is also actively working on further outgoings, with four or five players — including Núñez — set to depart in this calendar month.

Alexander Isak is the clear priority. With personal terms reportedly agreed and the player refusing to return to Newcastle training, it’s a case of when, not if. But Liverpool’s business won’t stop there. The integration of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong shows a multi-phase rebuild is already underway — one focused on precision, not volume.

Darwin Núñez leaves as a player who thrilled, frustrated, and entertained in equal measure. His energy was never in doubt, but Liverpool’s future requires more than flashes — it requires structure. And under the new leadership of Edwards and Hughes, that structure is finally back in place.

The era of sentiment has ended. The era of clarity has begun and could well set up a dynasty that lasts forever.