Former Manchester United center-back Rio Ferdinand has sounded the alarm for the rest of the Premier League, suggesting it would be "lights out" if Liverpool manages to snap up Alexander Isak.
The former England international also heaped praise on Liverpool's transfer dealings this summer. Even with the acquisitions of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez already in the bag, the Reds are still keen on 25-year-old Swedish forward Isak, who has reportedly expressed a desire to leave Newcastle for new pastures.
Isak is notably absent from Newcastle's preseason tour in Asia, fuelling rumours of an impending move to Anfield.
Although Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has stated that no formal bids have been placed for Isak, there's chatter around St. James' Park about the team's interest in RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko as it prepares for a potential departure.
While Isak's future hangs in the balance, Ferdinand, on his podcast, Rio Presents, lauded Liverpool's summer signings.
Despite his deep ties with Liverpool's arch-rivals, Ferdinand put aside any partiality, showcasing his integrity as a soccer analyst by acknowledging that Isak's addition could very well help Arne Slot clinch back-to-back Premier League titles.
"Liverpool's transfer window has been nothing short of exceptional so far. It's been an outrageous transfer window, and if they get Isak – it's lights out for the Premier League," Ferdinand said. "They've got a squad there, they've got a hierarchy, they look stable, they look solid. It's gone too well, and if they get Isak, it's over."
The Reds are on the prowl for attacking reinforcements, especially with Luis Diaz on the brink of a move to Bayern Munich.
Snatching Isak from St. James' Park, however, is expected to be a tough task, as the Magpies are reportedly holding out for a staggering £150 million ($201 million) to part with their star player.
Newcastle has attributed Isak's absence to a minor thigh issue, having also left him out of the squad for the preseason game against Celtic.
When pressed about his key forward's future, Howe stated: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him."
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler is hoping Isak will move to Merseyside. "As a Liverpool fan, we would all love to see him, wouldn't we," Fowler told The RedMen TV.
"When you look at the Premier League and the goals he scored last year, the types of goals and his performances, he was phenomenal. Hopefully, he can carry that on, and hopefully it will be at Liverpool.
"If you were to pick one player from the Premier League last year who you would have wanted to sign for Liverpool, he would probably be on 90 percent of people's lips. We probably needed that pivotal striker on the pitch last season.
"He could be the difference if he were to come."