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Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has issued a glowing verdict on the "phenomenal" Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, with the Reds interested in signing the 25-year-old Swedish international.
With Luis Diaz heading for Bayern Munich in a deal worth around $88 million (£66 million), the speculation around Isak is unlikely to slow down. Liverpool expressed an interest in the former Real Sociedad forward earlier in the summer, though Newcastle has been reluctant to sell up to this point.
Isak, though, has not gone on the Magpies' pre-season tour to Asia. He was left behind with head coach Eddie Howe admitting that this summer has been a difficult one for his side.
"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 per cent 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."
Isak would cost a British record transfer fee, but Liverpool has the cash to do a deal. Newcastle, by selling its prized asset, would free up a substantial amount of spending power in terms of PSR regulations.
So far, the North East outfit has been unwilling to break its "not for sale" stance. But if the player wants to go, it is possible that an agreement is reached before the September 1 deadline.
"Of course, there are things going on behind the scenes," Newcastle boss Howe had said on Saturday in a pre-match press conference.
"Conversations that happen between Alex and myself and Alex and the club will stay private. Whatever happens has to be for the best of the club.
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"There are no contract talks taking place. That will be for a later date, potentially. I certainly hope he stays. It's football, who knows what the future may bring."
After losing 3-2 against Arsenal in Singapore, Howe was asked for another update. He confirmed that there was no chance of Isak joining up with his teammates again next week, and that nothing had changed on that front.
"We’re not deluded," Howe said about his side's summer in general. "We know we need to bring players in. We’ve known that. We know what we wanted. It’s been a challenging window."
Liverpool.com says: Isak is an elite striker and the thought of him lining up ahead of Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah is mouthwatering. Add in the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo, and those are some really exciting forward options.
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