Opinion: What if Liverpool get Isak?

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·18 luglio 2025

Opinion: What if Liverpool get Isak?

If Liverpool believe Newcastle would be willing to listen to offers between £120 million and £150 million for Alexander Isak, then surely Arsenal learnt the same information?

Andrea Berta’s strength lies in narrowing down a shortlist and taking his time to gather as much detail as possible. It is hard to believe our Director of Football has been in the market for a striker and never once reached out to his counterparts at Saint James’ Park.

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Some Gooners feel it is still not too late to pull out of the Viktor Gyökeres negotiations and submit a bid for his Swedish strike partner. Not just because of what the 25-year-old can offer, but because we simply cannot afford for the champions to become even stronger.

Some have joked that if you give the Toon £150 million, you are not just buying one of the best forwards in the division, you are essentially buying the title. For that much money, I should hope so.

Sources suggest Arsenal accepted some time ago that Isak is not a realistic option this summer. Journalist Graeme Bailey told TBR:“Arsenal moved on from Isak early in the summer when they became aware of Liverpool’s interest in the Newcastle striker, and nothing has changed in that regard.In football there is a belief that Isak or his people have in some way made it known that were he to leave, then Liverpool would be his preferred choice which is why Arsenal moved on.”

Would Isak have guaranteed the title?

Of course, there is every chance Mr Berta was simply put off by that valuation. For a start, the Italian would want assurances that the player has his heart set on North London. Without that, you end up in a bidding war and the price becomes ridiculous.

As fans, we quickly forget the cost if the talent is successful. As already mentioned, if someone were to score 25–30 league goals and lift the Premier League at the Emirates, he would be worth every penny.

But if you are investing £130-150 million, that superstar needs to guarantee he is taking you to the next level. At the very least, he should make you favourites for all the major trophies. I am not sure Isak is quite that individual.

I have seen Geordies this week compare their number nine to Mbappe and label him one of the best in the world. If I woke up tomorrow and read Mbappe was a Gunner, I would make us favourites for the title. I do not feel the same about Isak.

There is a very different pressure playing on Tyneside compared to being in a title race, especially when burdened by a record fee. This time last year, Eddie Howe failed to qualify for Europe and it was accepted. Lifting the Carabao Cup makes you a legend with the Toon Army. In the English capital, that same player would be labelled one of the biggest flops in our history if he did not win the league. The money is that silly.

Gyokeres & Isak (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

Are Arsenal right to walk away?

I know I probably sound like the man who suddenly says the girl was not that attractive after she turns him down, but it is still an insane amount of money to spend.

Football is a business. Like any company, the priority is to make or save money. If we asked the question about Isak and the answer came back at £130-150 million, you cannot say Arsenal are wrong for looking elsewhere.

They could be proven wrong, of course, if he ends up scoring for fun at Anfield. But I would not criticise my club for having doubts over a player at that price.

Unless Newcastle genuinely believe they are building the best squad in the country, I think it is financially irresponsible not to drive the Swede to Merseyside. I know their owners are wealthy, but a top four finish is worth around £100 million, which covers most of it. How silly would they look if they now fail to qualify for the Champions League after turning down that kind of money for an asset who will eventually want to leave anyway, and at a reduced value?

For over half that amount, we have identified our target. He is believed to be having his medical on Friday and will be on the plane for our pre-season tour.

How will you feel though if Liverpool steal our thunder?

Would that be title over?

Dan Smith

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