Liverpool’s chances of signing Alexander Isak revealed as fresh twist emerges in Arsenal transfer saga

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The race between Arsenal and Liverpool to complete the signing of Alexander Isak is starting to hot up.

Isak is Mikel Arteta’s dream signing, and the Gunners view him as a potentially transformative addition to their meek attacking unit.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are keen on acquiring someone who can replace Mohamed Salah’s output in the long term, and the Newcastle United striker may be the man to fill this role at Anfield.

It will ultimately come down to which of the two clubs is willing to stump up the Magpies’ excessive asking price for the Swede, and it appears one side may already have blinked.

• READ MORE: Nani says he has noticed an interesting change in Viktor Gyokeres, it explains why Arsenal want to sign him

Liverpool ‘unlikely’ to pay Newcastle’s asking price for Arsenal target Alexander Isak

Arsenal Insider revealed last week that Liverpool are confident in their ability to land Isak, but that the Gunners are still very much in the race.

That confidence may be predicated on the idea that Newcastle will be willing to drop their asking price significantly, which isn’t likely if the north-east outfit qualify for the Champions League.

According to the Athletic, Liverpool’s move for Isak is entirely dependent on the numbers involved and they certainly won’t spend £150 million on the player.

The Reds recently posted a £57 million pre-tax loss for the 2023/24 season.

While their financial situation is now healthier following their return to the Champions League, the Athletic report that the Merseysiders are expected to allocate their resources to multiple different signings, rather than one marquee addition.

This certainly suggests that they’re unlikely to pursue Isak, who is expected to cost in excess of £120 million, potentially giving Arsenal the upper hand in the saga.

Should Arsenal spend a significant portion of their budget on Alexander Isak?

While Liverpool don’t seem intent on using a large portion of their budget on acquiring Isak, this is an option on the table for Arsenal that could be their best ploy.

Arsenal are looking at Viktor Gyokeres as an alternative to Isak, while the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike have also been linked closely with a switch to N5.

None of these options are capable of making the potentially transformative level of impact on Arsenal’s attack that Isak is, and thus Arteta’s side are arguably better off spending a huge fee on the Newcastle man than an equivalent amount on a different striker and a winger.

Gyokeres has scored at a prolific rate in the Portuguese league, but it’s unclear how this would translate to the English top flight.

Meanwhile, Sesko and Ekitike are promising prospects who have impressed in glimpses in the Bundesliga, but likely aren’t ready to come straight into a side looking to compete for the Premier League.

Isak can come straight in and be exceptional immediately, which arguably makes him worth that extra £50 million to £60 million.