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Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak has been offered a staggering contract worth more than $800k (c. £600k) per week tax free by the Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal — with further lucrative bonuses on top of that.
That is according to The Guardian. Isak, of course, is also admired by Liverpool. His preference is thought to be the Reds, where he would earn considerably less but continue to play at the highest level of the sport.
In terms of Premier League clubs, Liverpool looks like the only viable option for Isak. The Reds still have PSR wriggle room even before the potential sales of players like Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.
Isak has not gone on Newcastle's pre-season trip to Singapore. Officially, the reason given was that he has picked up an injury, but the Magpies are also aware of his interest in moving elsewhere.
Liverpool is considered the obvious destination for the Swede, but Al-Hilal, who are managed by Simone Inzaghi, is prepared to go all out on the financial front. Isak would get extra cash on top of his proposed salary if he were to win the league, or the Asian Champions League, and top the scoring charts.
Whether Isak is interested in a move to Saudi Arabia or not, it remains to be seen whether Newcastle's stance will change. For now, it remains insistent that he won't be leaving, though it has explored a move for Benjamin Sesko alongside Yoane Wissa.
"It's ridiculous what Newcastle put out this morning to say he wasn't on the trip because of a slight thigh injury," Newcastle legend Alan Shearer told Betfair this week.
"If they thought people wouldn't see through that... it was disappointing. They should've just told the truth straight away. I understand it's a very difficult situation for them, but it is what it is.
"Eddie Howe has to use all his persuasive powers to do what he can and try to make him stay at least one more year. If that can't happen, then it is what it is.
"You have to get the very best deal for the football club. If someone is prepared to pay north of £150 million (c. $200 million), and if he really, really wants to go, you can't step in his way.
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"Isak has been brilliant for Newcastle, helped us achieve our dream of winning a trophy, and if there's no way whatsoever that he can be persuaded to stay at Newcastle, then they have to get the best deal possible.
"If someone's prepared to pay what they want, you have to say thank you and build for the future. There's no individual bigger than the football club."
Liverpool.com says: If Isak moves to Saudi Arabia, that would be a huge waste of his talent. That move really doesn't seem likely, as eyewatering as the numbers could become. If he goes anywhere, it feels like it will be Liverpool.
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