Liverpool will probably make a second offer for Alexander Isak and Virgil van Dijk seems to have thrown his support behind the move that would break the British transfer record
Virgil van Dijk has hinted strongly that he wants Liverpool to break the bank and sign Alexander Isak. Liverpool has already seen a British record offer worth £ 120 million by Newcastle, which brace itself for a second bid.
Isak, 25, has told the Newcastle -hierarchy that he wants to leave and that the Magpies search the market for possible replacements for their star stitch. Liverpool has already spent £ 79 million on Hugo Ekitike, but this summer wants to add more firepower in the light of events.
Tragedy struck when Diogo Jota died last month in a car accident before the Reds Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez sold for a combined £ 111.7 million. That is the left room in the front line, with Isak recommended to fill the void.
Arne Slot got stuck on Liverpool's striving for the Swede and supported his current forward options prior to Sunday's defeat against Crystal Palace in the Shield Community. But after the game, Van Dijk suggested that his club should strengthen.
When asked whether the Liverpool team had too few attackers, the Liverpool attacker replied: “I don't know – we will find out! Everything that happened with Diogo, Tragic and Lucho (Diaz) and Darwin leave.
“Those are three senior attackers. I fully trust the club to do the right thing – what they think is good for the club.”
There has been a furious debate where Liverpool needs Isak. Speaking prior to the palace game, Slot stated: “We think we already have a lot of attacking power in our team,” said the Liverpool manager last week.
“I think of Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike, Mo Salah, Jeremie Frimpong who can play as a right wing, Florian Wirtz who can play as a left wing player … I have all the feeling that I have a lot of offensive options in my team in my team.”
Liverpool -legend Jamie Carragher is also not convinced that the Reds must pay such a substantial fee. “It will be an amazing signature. But from the point of view of a Liverpool fan, I don't want the club to spend £ 150 million to Isak,” Carragher said on the overlap.
Does Liverpool have to offer Alexander Isak? Say in the commentary part.
“I could probably imagine that he was Liverpool's target, but there is something about Liverpool who buys a striker [Ekitike] For £ 80 million and he is a backup. There is something that is not good for me.
“I look at Isak, he clearly thrown his toys out of the pram as soon as Arsenal and Liverpool have signed a striker. From him and the point of view of his agent, they did not tell Newcastle months ago that they wanted to continue? It just seems a bit messy.
“When I think of Liverpool, it doesn't really look planned. I don't think the plan is to sign a striker for £ 80 million and there is one to sign for £ 120 million. I feel a bit for Ekitike. Because he has been brought in and then this Isak has suddenly come.
“I want Liverpool to sign Isak, but £ 150 million feels like one for me [Kylian] Mbappe. You should get Mbappe for £ 150 million. “