Rio Ferdinand has expressed his concern for other Premier League teams if Liverpool successfully signs Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak this summer. The 25-year-old Swedish forward has reportedly communicated to Newcastle his desire to explore alternative opportunities.
Currently, Isak is not participating in the team’s pre-season tour in Asia, as speculation intensifies regarding a possible transfer to Anfield. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe stated that no formal offers for Isak have been received, but the club is evidently considering RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko as a potential replacement.
While Isak’s future remains uncertain, Ferdinand was full of praise for Liverpool’s summer transfer activities during his podcast, “Rio Ferdinand Presents.” Despite his history as a Manchester United legend, he suggested that securing Isak would position Liverpool for an extraordinary season ahead, stating, “Liverpool’s transfer window has been nothing short of exceptional so far. It’s been an outrageous transfer window, and if they get Isak – it’s lights out for the Premier League. They’ve got a squad there, they’ve got a hierarchy, they look stable, they look solid. It’s gone too well, and if they get Isak, it’s over.”
Liverpool is actively seeking to bolster their attacking options, particularly since Luis Diaz is set to transfer to Bayern Munich. Club officials believe that adding Isak would enhance their offensive strategies alongside Hugo Ekitike, who recently joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial fee of £69 million.
However, acquiring Isak from St James’ Park will not be straightforward, as Newcastle is reportedly asking for up to £150 million for their star player. They have attributed his absence in pre-season friendlies to a minor thigh injury.
When asked about Isak’s future, Howe remarked, “He is still our player. He’s contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him.”
Liverpool’s ownership group, Fenway Sports Group, has initiated a significant spending spree this summer, totaling nearly £300 million and resulting in record signings, including Florian Wirtz, Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez.
Robbie Fowler, a former Liverpool striker, believes that if Isak joins, it would be the perfect capstone to an already impressive summer of acquisitions. He commented, “As a Liverpool fan, we would all love to see him, wouldn’t we? When you look at the Premier League and the goals he scored last year, the types of goals and his performances, he was phenomenal. Hopefully, he can carry that on, and hopefully it will be at Liverpool. If you were to pick one player from the Premier League last year who you would have wanted to sign for Liverpool, he would probably be on 90 percent of people’s lips. We probably needed that pivotal striker on the pitch last season. He could be the difference if he were to come.”
