All roads lead to Alexander Isak for Liverpool

Liverpool are suddenly right there for Alexander Isak.

The Sweden centre-forward might have appeared as a pipe-dream for Reds’ supporters earlier on in the transfer window - even more so after Liverpool paid what could end up being a £116m fee for Florian Wirtz.

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FSG watch the pennies carefully. Breaking the British transfer record once was unlikely; to do so twice in the same window should be nigh-on impossible.

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But here we are with reports circulating that the club are now in contact with Newcastle for a record-breaking deal.

Liverpool want Isak or Ekitike

Isak, 25, has previously been valued around the £150m mark but some reports indicate that a deal could be achievable at around £120m to £130m.

Of course Liverpool would still require departures.

Bayern Munich could prove useful on that front if they meet the asking price for Luis Diaz. And there’s also Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott, Tyler Morton and Ben Doak who could make way before long.

Separately, it’s being reported that Liverpool STILL have got Hugo Ekitike in mind - although at this stage he appears to be a back-up option to Isak.

Ekitike, 23, has never played in the Premier League - much less conquered it like Isak has with the Swede scoring 23 goals in the top flight last season.

And with his club Eintracht Frankfurt seeking €100m, the Frenchman represents a bigger risk than Isak.

Newcastle open the bidding for Ekitike

But here’s the twist.

Newcastle are now reported to have opened the bidding for Ekitike. They have got plans apparently to field Isak and Ekitike together - or else use Ekitike as an £86m back-up to their main man.

More likely is that the Magpies are taking out insurance on Isak. If they lose him then a ready-made replacement is lined up in Ekitike.

Some Newcastle commentators are suggesting that Isak may well have his head turned by Liverpool’s interest.

It’s not only the money but that will play some part in his thinking. Isak is reported to be earning around £120k per week. His peers in the centre-forward positions such as Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland are earning up to five or six times as much.

There are no guarantees he would sign a new deal with Newcastle either.

Give us Isak or else we will buy Ekitike

Although they have qualified for the Champions League, they are not elite like Liverpool are and are heading into the squad with several issues to sort out.

At 25, Isak is at the peak of his powers and should be playing for the biggest club around.

So now we have an intriguing scenario emerging.

Newcastle have bid for Ekitike. Liverpool are also watching and waiting for the Frenchman. Liverpool have opened talks with Newcastle over Isak. And they will only move on Ekitike should they fail to get a deal over the line for Isak.

So here’s how it could play out. Newcastle will sell Alexander Isak to Liverpool otherwise the Reds will ruin their chances of signing Ekitike.

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Or to put it in kinder terms, Liverpool will stay out of the race for Newcastle’s preferred striker target so long as the Geordies do business over Isak. This has been a hugely significant day. The plan is in motion and right now it looks like all roads lead to Isak.

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