Liverpool's Bold Spending Spree Pushes for Alexander Isak
Liverpool aren’t playing it safe this summer. After already dropping nearly £300 million on new signings, the Reds are pushing to land Alexander Isak from Newcastle in a deal that could shatter British transfer records. What’s wild is that football finance experts say Liverpool can still splash cash without running afoul of league rules. Their transfer moves are being watched across Europe, not just for the names involved, but for the sheer scale.
The club’s recruiting list this summer reads like a fantasy league: Florian Wirtz for £116 million, Hugo Ekitiké at £79 million, Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5 million, Milos Kerkez at £40 million, Giorgi Mamardashvili for £30 million, and Armin Pecsi for just under £2 million. Add it all up and you’re looking at a serious outlay—and yet, Liverpool’s accountants aren’t sweating.
Financial Strategy Fuels Liverpool’s Aggressive Market Moves
You’re probably wondering, how can Liverpool afford this? The secret is in the details: football’s accounting tricks. Clubs like Liverpool can amortize—spread out—those big transfer fees across the length of a player's contract. So, a £150 million deal for Isak doesn’t hit the books all at once. That, along with potentially selling players like Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and Harvey Elliott, frees up room for more signings without violating the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR). Kieran Maguire, a well-known finance analyst, even says Liverpool could technically spend another £200 million and still play by the rules.
Isak’s own situation adds another layer. He fired in 23 Premier League goals last season and is clearly one of the hottest strikers in England. Newcastle, of course, want to keep him, but a giant offer is hard to turn down. Liverpool reportedly already tried a £120 million bid on July 15—shot down by Newcastle, who are sticking with their £150 million price tag. Still, Isak’s preference is clear: he wants a move to Anfield, rather than Manchester United or Chelsea, making Liverpool the clear favourites if they can get the fee right.
Liverpool aren’t just looking at Isak, either. There’s serious chatter about a swoop for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo to completely revamp the attack under new boss Arne Slot. If both signings come off, it would mark one of the club’s boldest summers since the Premier League era began.
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is playing it cool in public, saying he’d love Isak to stay but also admitting things could change fast before the window shuts. Liverpool’s mix of massive ambition and careful accounting is shaking up expectations—don’t expect the deadline to pass quietly on Merseyside this year.