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Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher are huge admirers of Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, who is wanted by Liverpool(Image: LFC Foundation/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

A fierce fight for the Premier League title has arguably started before a ball has been even kicked.

Liverpool were the convincing champions in Arne Slot's debut campaign in charge as they left Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea trailing in their wake.

And the Reds signalled their intent not to rest on their laurels by agreeing a potentially British transfer record move for Florian Wirtz as well as signing Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, to add to the already confirmed arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili, before June was out.

Dethroned champions City also got off to a fast start to the summer transfer window, bringing in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Aït-Nouri before competing in the FIFA Club World Cup, which was won by Chelsea at the weekend after their stunning 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

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Chelsea's final goal in the demolition of the Champions League winners came courtesy of the deft right boot of Joao Pedro, who has joined Mike Penders, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap, Mamadou Sarr, Kendy Paez, Jamie Gittens and Estevao as deals the big-spending Stamford Bridge outfit have already done.

Arsenal are also flexing their financial muscle, with huge transfers for Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke being lined-up following the acquisitions of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.

But all those transfers would be trumped - including the deal for Wirtz, who could eventually cost £116m - if Liverpool follow up their interest in Alexander Isak and make a bid that could tempt Newcastle United into selling their superstar striker.

Newcastle remain steadfast in their stance that Isak is not for sale.

But with the Magpies having to be mindful of Profit and Sustainability Rules, and with further signings to make after the purchase of the £55m Anthony Elanga, it will be interesting to see if they would be able to resist an offer in excess of £120m.

And that's before taking into account how the player himself feels, with the ECHO's chief LFC writer Ian Doyle yesterday (July 15) reporting that there is a growing feeling that Isak would like the chance to play for the Reds.

That would certainly delight Anfield great Jamie Carragher, who would be quite happy to see his former club part with £150m to sign the Sweden international.

"Alexander, I absolutely adore you," Carragher told Isak directly after he scored in Newcastle's brutal dismantling of Manchester United at Old Trafford in December.

"I think you're a fantastic player and if I had £150m, I'd pay it to have you at any club."

Carragher's adoration is understandable.

Only Liverpool hero Mohamed Salah scored more goals in the Premier League last season than Isak.

And it was the 25-year-old who scored the crucial second when Newcastle beat the Reds 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final to end their long wait for a trophy.

The Magpies then followed that historic Wembley success by finishing fifth in the Premier League to secure Champions League football in 2025-26.

And former Newcastle and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has previously said selling Isak is unthinkable.

He said in March: "I mean, I hear what you’re saying about not balancing the books… But what?

Like, then they can get £150m for him and then go spend £100m or £120m on, you know, three £30m players or four £30m players.

"You know, you prefer Isak.

Frankfurt want nearer to £86.7m.

Ekitike is another in-demand striker in this summer’s transfer market and, like Isak, is toward the top of Liverpool’s shortlist.

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And the Reds are debating whether to make their own move for Ekitike given the impending need for potentially more than one new number nine option for Slot’s squad.


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