Ornstein says we’ve made an approach:
While it seems obvious this is an either/or situation with Isak, it is at least reliable enough to start its own thread.
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I am reminded of something a wise man once told me…
Throw enough shit at the wall, eventually something will stick…
I don’t know if he was talking about internet ITKs or the OP, but I thought it was worth sharing.
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I, for one, am interested in @Nobluff’s mathematical evaluation of our chances of landing young Hugo.
I wonder if it is lower than 0%??
I think this one out of him and Isak is more likely.
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5% due to Franks evaluation.
Do we get both Isak and Ekitike for 150m ?
Funny game afoot. Newcastle can lose out on Ekitike but keep Isak for another season or two, or get Ekitike but sell us Isak.
On the other hand, we risk the possibility of losing Ekitike to Newcastle (because they’ve already laid the groundwork), and then Isak stays, and we’re forced to look at third or fourth options.
Very interesting process. Maybe we’ll sign Isak and get Ekitike if we sell Diaz and Nunez.
I have faith in our guys to get a positive outcome they are happy with, but I think lots of people are underestimating Newcastle’s position especially with how many years Isak has left on his current deal. As I said yesterday, I think there is a risk in their leadership void/lack of experience at the executive level making them fuck up how their play their hand, but it’s a pretty strong hand
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I think Isak needs to actively push for a transfer, IMO. If not, I don’t see us getting Isak.
Is it as simple as, we want Isak but he’s unattainable, so we’ll take Ekitike.
Isak’s camp must have indicated he’d be interested in a move to Liverpool, otherwise none of it comes out.
My preference is obviously Isak, as he’s proven in the PL etc. If we are bumping up Ekitike’s price, Newcastle’s price for Isak will not drop.
I’ve said it before - maybe it’s Gordon that we are lining things up for. Good player, but would prefer the one of Isak or Ekitike over him.
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I don’t think anyone is underestimating the challenge. The club is offering to break the transfer record again for Isak. They have already approached with the idea of doing a deal for 120M. They’re only doing that because they know that Newcastle has a strong hand because of the contract situation.
However, Newcastle’s approach carries risk in its own right. Sure, they can hold onto him, but in doing so, there has to be a tacit acknowledgement that Isak will likely never be as valuable as he is right now. That is without considering the risk of injury or a down campaign that sees his value plummet. Simply by virtue of aging, he is going to become less valuable to a savvy club like Liverpool that avoids buying players in their late 20s unless it’s at a bargain.
What if Newcastle fancy themselves as a club that wants to see the value of their acquisitions realized from years of performances in a newcastle shirt rather than as an asset that can be sold for a profit?
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For Isak, he’ll be 26 in September, and it’s just a question whether he potentially waits another year for a big move, or makes it now, and gives himself a good 6 years playing at the top brass of world football, if he doesn’t believe Newcastle will do that.
Ekitike is an interesting one. 3 years younger, and has the attributes to really kick on, although he’s not quite at the ready-made level of Isak and Julian Alvarez, and his fee will be significant. However, I trust the club that the underlying numbers indicate he’s about to spunk all over the footballing world. There’s not really that much else out there.
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Then they don’t sell and let him run out his contract, which makes this a very short conversation. But I suspect that they are not taking quite that firm of a position, otherwise Liverpool would never have bothered with an approach.
What are your thoughts on Waltemade? Watched him few times and is a baller. Very good in the air but not very very quick. Very strong, tall and skillful for his height. Bayern had a bid rejected for him. We should get him for 55-57 million pounds. Found this compilation on YouTube
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It’s not a bad shout in terms of alternatives, but I think we’re looking for mobility in our front line, someone who can do it all and elevate all of the other pieces in our side. Strong, quick, good link-up, can play in behind, and that only leaves Isak, Alvarez and Ekitike, unless there are some “hidden” gems who have a similar profile. I’m still intrigued by a previous link to Luis Suarez from Almeria, who might be viewed as someone to serve as back-up to a main striker in light of the Jota tragedy.
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Absolutely. Provided Ekitike is free.
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On a lighter note, for the sake of it sign Gyokeres and Sesko and send Arsenal fans into riot. Lol. Haha.
Not sure that wouldn’t be helping them dodge a bullet.
Gyokeres is one where I could see going either way (could be good or horrible and at 28, time isn’t on his side). Don’t rate Sesko.
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