6 days Ago By [email protected] (Ciaran Kelly)
Well, that didn't take long, did it? Liverpool had only been crowned champions a matter of hours when Peter Crouch suggested there would not be 'a club in the country' who could compete with Arne Slot's team if his former side signed Alexander Isak . Dietmar Hamann, similarly, stated that Isak would 'certainly be a player who improves them' while Nigel Reo-Coker felt the striker ticked all the boxes'. Troy Deeney even declared: "Just give them the title for the next five years if they get that fella.
" On the subject of Isak, on Saturday , Paul Merson said £100m was 'a lot of money in this day and age' - implying Newcastle United would find it difficult to turn down such a bid - while Kris Boyd claimed the 25-year-old was 'the one who will probably generate the most money' as if it was a foregone conclusion. However, these pundits seem to have forgotten that: A. Newcastle do not want to sell; B.
Newcastle do not have to sell; C. Isak still has three years left on his contract; and D. There are few clubs around in a PSR world who could afford the lethal Sweden star, who has scored 43 Premier League goals since the start of last season.
Rio Ferdinand, to be fair, at least recognised that Newcastle could command £150m, particularly given the eye-watering fees Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo went for, and the Manchester United legend stressed there was no way the Magpies would sell if they qualify for the Champions League. However, that did not stop Ferdinand asking 'where would you go if you were Isak?' Ferdinand even suggested Manchester United could be in the conversation alongside Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. Seriously.
Only this is not the Ashley era. Newcastle are currently in third place. This side are fresh from ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy just last month.
There are not figures behind the scenes rubbing their hands at the possibility of a summer auction; Newcastle instead want to strengthen and build the side around players like Isak. CEO Darren Eales made it clear last month that Newcastle were 'not under the gun' like they were last summer. The Magpies chief even insisted it would be 'crazy' for the club to consider selling their prized assets.
"There is a sense of annoyance as we are almost seen as the next category down and it is fair game to talk about our players," he added. "But we are striving as a club to be at the top table and we want our best players here." Qualifying for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons would only aid Newcastle's cause further and it was rather telling Isak revealed last week that the 'only thing' he is thinking about is finishing in the top five.
If Newcastle are to secure a place at Europe's top table, in some ways, one of the biggest statements the Magpies could make this summer would be extending Isak's contract. After all, as football finance expert Kieran Maguire previously told ChronicleLive: "It is the equivalent of signing a £100m player." Newcastle intend to hold talks with Isak at the end of the season and it is to the 25-year-old's credit that he has not let the constant noise about his future affect him.
Quite the opposite, in fact. "Sometimes you see things that make you laugh," the club's record signing informed Alan Shearer a few months ago. Rather than looking elsewhere, Isak has instead repeatedly said he feels 'really happy' and at 'home' at St James' Park.
When asked about the club's Carabao Cup win, Isak told the club's match day programme a few days ago: "It's been beautiful just to see how much it means to the people, you know? Seeing all the people show up for the parade and the celebrations...
it's been amazing." It could just be the start..
