(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media / Imago)

Alex Oakhill

Thu 7 August 2025 9:46, UK

Alexander Isak’s potential move to Liverpool is being funded by Newcastle United owners PIF.

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Arne Slot’s side have already had a £120million bid for Isak rejected by Newcastle, and the striker has made his desire for a move clear.

The Sweden international refused to go on the Magpies’ pre-season tour, instead returning to former club Real Sociedad to train alone.

In order to free up extra funds for the forward, Liverpool are set to sell Darwin Nunez to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – explains that as both Newcastle and Al Hilal are owned by PIF, the Magpies’ owners are inadvertently funding Isak’s move to Anfield, through the purchase of Nunez.

Slot wants Isak at Newcastle (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that there isn’t any grand conspiracy going on between PIF and Liverpool, and Nunez simply has value in the market.

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The Uruguayan international is expected to make a £42.6m move to Al Hilal, after three years on Merseyside.

Wyness added that it is just business, and the Saudi League is now a global player.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It’s obviously crossed everybody’s mind that it’s strange how PIF paying a big fee for Darwin Nunez gives Liverpool the money to buy Newcastle’s best player.

I just think it’s business, and Liverpool have got quality players that have got value in the marketplace.

“We all thought Salah was going to go to Saudi.

But I don’t think it’s strange.

“Look, the Saudi league is now a global player, whether everybody likes it or not.

It’s just the way football is panning out these days, and there’ll be swings and roundabouts all the time, and people will do business together.

You’ve got to get it done and deal with whoever is there with the right price for your player, if the player wants to move and you want to move them on.”

Nunez is set to join Al Hilal (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Meanwhile, Liverpool have earned around £10million from their pre-season tour of Asia, sources have told Football Insider.

The Premier League champions confirmed in March they would be heading to China and Japan as part of their preparations for the new campaign.
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