Isak gamble and Wirtz's huge fee - Liverpool and Chelsea's transfer windows compared

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Liverpool and Chelsea have both spent lavishly this summer(Image: Getty Images)

Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin reckons his former side had a better transfer window than Liverpool, despite the Reds' record-shattering summer spending spree.

Nevertheless, Nevin, who also played for Everton, contends that Chelsea's more calculated recruitment approach - focusing on emerging prospects with strong resale potential - represents a smarter long-term strategy, and one that might produce better returns than Liverpool's high-stakes expenditure.

He also cautioned that should expensive acquisitions like Isak fail to perform, Liverpool will not only be lumbered with an underachieving, highly-paid player, they'll also find it tough to offload him, especially at a profit.

"Isak is someone I can see Chelsea potentially going for, but if you're spending £125m, you're not making a profit if you sell in four years," Nevin said told the Mirror, via Betway.

That's not the model."

Pat Nevin thinks signing Alexander Isak for such a big fee represents a huge risk for Liverpool(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Nevin went on to suggest that Liverpool might have overpaid for their marquee summer signings - particularly when compared to the players Chelsea secured in the same positions.

"The club have brought Joao Pedro in for half the price of Isak.

"He's a fabulous player, he's probably better than Joao Pedro at the moment, but if you're looking at smart money, then Chelsea have got the better deal.

"Chelsea would have made back that Joao Pedro money from the sales they've made this summer and from the Club World Cup as well.

Don't get me wrong, Chelsea have spent a lot of money, but they've recouped that money as well.

Joao Pedro has started brightly at Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)

"Chelsea are right amongst the top when it comes to spending over the past few years, but they would say they've been sensible.

They're focusing on less established, lower-profile talent to close the gap on the teams above them in the league - a stark departure from their previous extravagant spending under ex-owner Roman Abramovich.

Liverpool have had great success with buying big in recent years, and will hope the likes of Wirtz and Isak will follow suit(Image: PA)

They have, of course, spent big on certain players, investing over £200m in Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, for instance.