Jamie Carragher has admitted he "doesn't feel right" about Liverpool's proposed £150m swoop for Alexander Isak. Despite already investing nearly £252 million ($335m) on signings including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike, the Reds are still chasing a deal with Newcastle for Isak, which Carragher believes veers away from the club’s historically cautious and strategic transfer philosophy.
Carragher unsettled by Liverpool’s spending Doubts whether aggressive Isak pursuit fits club ethosReds have been highest spenders this summer in Europe Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Newcastle continue to value the Swedish striker at around £150m and have already turned down Liverpool's initial offer of around £110m. However, the Reds are believed to be preparing an improved offer to convince the Magpies to part ways with their prized asset.
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Carragher questioned the logic of splurging for another centre-forward so soon after signing Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Speaking on the Liverpool legend said: "In terms of what Liverpool have done in the summer by bringing in players, they’ve spent a lot of money and it doesn’t feel like the Liverpool way of doing things so much – or certainly if you listen to some supporters who have been on the owner’s case for so long!
"He [Alexander Isak] will be an amazing signing, but from a fan’s point of view, for myself, I don’t want Liverpool to spend £150 million on Isak. You [Martyn Ziegler] just said he’s Liverpool’s number one target, and I can probably imagine that, but there’s something about Liverpool buying another striker [Hugo Ekitike], and he’s backup. Something about it doesn’t feel right to me. I know Liverpool need numbers, for a number of reasons, at the top of the pitch."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Carragher questioned Liverpool's strategy in the transfer market and expressed his belief that sporting director Richard Hughes has been a "bit messy" with his decisions.
“I look at Isak, and he’s obviously thrown his toys out [of] the pram once Arsenal signed a striker and Liverpool signed a striker," he said. "From his point of view and from his agent’s point of view, do they not tell Newcastle months ago that they wanted to move on? It feels a bit messy to me now. For me, when I think of Liverpool, it doesn’t look really planned – I don’t think the plan is to buy a striker for £80 million, and then be looking to buy another one for £120m.”
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL & ISAK?
Reports indicate Isak is due to meet with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe to discuss his future, amid mounting belief he wants a move to Liverpool. He was the first to arrive at Newcastle's training facilities on Monday, while Howe handed a day off to other players. Newcastle, bracing for his departure, are eyeing replacements, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, though the striker reportedly prefers Manchester United. Liverpool may submit a second offer this week as talks resume, and should negotiations succeed, Isak could potentially feature against Newcastle at Anfield on August 25.
