'These transfers don't happen out of nowhere'

BBC News

3 days ago

Any transfer for Alexander will be seen as a "business decision" by Newcastle and factoring in time to buy his replacement will be key, says ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden.Liverpool have now had an official bid for Isak rejected by Newcastle.The Reds are already the top spenders so far this summer and it is expected they would have to pay a British-record fee for Isak's services."These transfers don't happen out of nowhere," Ogden told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast."If Liverpool are sitting there comfortable and confident that Isak is going to be their player then it is because they probably know he wants to join them."Liverpool are a very, very appealing proposition to any player. We have to say that they are one of the biggest clubs in the world. Premier League champions right now, they are the place to be in the Premier League so they would appeal to anybody."If you are Alexander Isak – peak of your career, you want to win trophies, you are playing in the Champions League with Newcastle next season but, right now, it is who is going to offer you the best chance of winning the Champions League and the Premier League? It is Liverpool."Liverpool are sat there knowing they can get the deal done. If Newcastle's owners want to play hardball then they can do it, but football is run like a business. The view of the fans might be emotional but people in charge of things will not be emotional and if they think they can get £150m for this player having paid around £60m for him three year ago, they will be thinking they can invest that money in three or four top players."It will come down to a business decision and Liverpool probably know that."I think it will continue this summer, unless Newcastle make a decision that they want to end this now and get players in."But can you imagine Isak leaving for Liverpool, then having to play for Liverpool at St. James' Park a week into the season? That would be a really bad look for Newcastle."I think ultimately he will go to Liverpool, but he has to go with enough time that Newcastle can replace him. But the options to replace him aren't really there any more."Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds