During the last final matches of the 2024/2025 season, well-informed Arsenal fans were not very much interested in the Gunners’ final game of the season; instead, they had already begun to anticipate what the club would do in the transfer window, especially in attack, with the main focus on the striker positions.
These keen fans wanted to know who would finish in fifth position and clinch the opportunity to play in the Champions League next season.
Newcastle United has had a strong second half of the season, and they are the object of focus for most Arsenal fans. The theory is that if Newcastle finishes fifth and gains Champions League football, their star striker, Alexander Isak, will be impossible to price away from Newcastle.
And as fate would have it, United did clinch fifth place after the referee did a job on Aston Villa in their match against Manchester United. So at that point, the dream was over, time to look at other options, and that should have been the end of the story.
But it wasn’t the end of the story. The first clue that all was not well in paradise was when Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe couldn’t categorically state that Isak would be part of the team next season; indeed, he was not part of the team’s preseason fixture.
This prompted Liverpool to reportedly make a huge 120 million pounds bid for the player, a bid that was swiftly turned down by Newcastle, according to Transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano. So we thought that was that, particularly as Liverpool quickly moved fast to secure Hugo Ekitike just a few days later.
🚨🔴 Liverpool have again confirmed to Newcastle intention to present record bid for Alexander Isak, as revealed on Tuesday.
The proposal is ready for £120m package but will only be sent if Newcastle change their stance, always been… not for sale.
🎥 https://t.co/pe35349gRE pic.twitter.com/MsPl6BPNQI
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 15, 2025
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Softfootball reported that Isak was left out of Newcastle United’s travelling squad for their Asian tour. Hours later, Fabrizio Romano reported that the player wants out of Newcastle.
Isak’s timing is baffling, particularly as we are just a few weeks away from the kickoff of a new season. Even more baffling is the fact that clubs that would like his services had already moved on to other expensive targets.
Arsenal, who had admired him for a long time, have moved to sign Isak’s Sweden teammate, Viktor Gyokeres. Liverpool, as stated earlier, has signed Hugo Ekitike, while Manchester City already has Haaland. Chelsea could be interested, but they have already signed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, and they still have Jackson on their books.
That leaves Manchester United, however, the former Premier League champions is not a particularly attractive destination for Isak at this point as they are not participating in the Champions League this season that it is not looking like they will find it season, clinching a spot in the competition next season as well.
Report has it that Isak wants to remain in the Premier League, so travelling abroad is not an option. Also, it is believed that he likes Barcelona; however, the Spanish champions lack the financial muscle to tackle such a deal.
So who really needs Isak? Well, nearly every team mentioned will be glad to have Isak in their team, and he will improve them almost instantly; however, for most of them, it does not make financial sense at this point in the transfer window to engage in such a venture.
However, Liverpool is believed to have the capability to do this transfer despite their already huge financial outlay in the transfer window, so do Liverpool need Isak? The answer is YES.
The Anfield side needs to future-proof itself against the inevitable decline or departure of Mo Salah, and at 25 years old, Isak is basically at the beginning of his prime. Ekitike is a good striker, but he is not in the league of Isak.
It is not inconceivable that Isak remain at Newcastle in the coming season and makes his move next summer. Another good season in the PL and Champions League will only increase his value.
