Alexander Isak is increasingly moving away from a possible return to LaLiga with FC Barcelona. The Newcastle striker, who this season has 26 goals and 6 assists in 39 games with the 'Magpies', would be Liverpool's main target for the next summer market.
According to the latest information, Liverpool would be willing to offer up to 120 million euros for Isak, understanding that Newcastle will not let him go for a figure close to 100 'kilos'. In 2022, the 'Reds' spent 85 million on Darwin Núñez, a signing that did not meet the expectations of the club and the fans.
Newcastle insists on blocking the transfer of Alexander Isak
However, the 'Magpies' do not intend to let their main scorer and star escape easily next summer. The Saudi property, led by Mohamed Bin Salman, has established a clear guideline: to build a long-term project based on retaining its main figures.
This approach is reflected in Newcastle's initial refusal to consider offers below 100 million euros, even when players like Bruno Guimaraes were tempted by Barça. Isak's contract, valid until June 2028, gives the club a strong negotiating position, as it lacks a termination clause.
Hence, the initial demands of 100 million escalated to 140-150 'kilos' as the 2024-25 season progressed. The recent sale of 10% of the striker's economic rights to an investment fund for 15 million further complicates the equation, as any operation must compensate for that collateral agreement.
Isak, the chosen one at Anfield to replace Darwin Núñez
As things stand, everything points to the Swede being the first option for Liverpool in their eagerness to replace Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan is expected to leave on loan this summer, after a disappointing season where, in addition, he was the protagonist of the 'Red' elimination in the Champions League (he missed a penalty in the shootout against PSG).
Núñez, in fact, has been rumored as a possible 'low cost' alternative for Barça's attack in the next summer market. However, the club does not seem interested in him from Artigas and would have already defined its starting and substitute '9' for the upcoming season.
Barça will postpone the signing of a '9'
For 2025-26, the position will be well covered again by Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, both players convinced to continue at the club, at least, one more year.
Both have reached their goalscoring peak with Barça so far this season (40 and 18, respectively), so their future is not, by any means, in doubt for next season. 'Lewy' automatically renewed for one year, while the 'Shark' signed until 2027.
In the medium and long term, the option Viktor Gyökeres also seems to fade away (Manchester United is very close to signing him), while alternatives Julián Álvarez and Erling Haaland are, for the moment, the options that most interest the board, beyond the high cost of their respective prices.