Arsenal -Mikel Merino Mikel Merino has great memories of playing next to Liverpool -target Alexander Isak, who insists on a relocation of Newcastle United
Mikel Merino says that Alexander Isak has an important characteristic that would make him a hit in Liverpool if the champions sign the Newcastle striker. The 25-year-old was influenced by the interest of the Reds this summer.
Isak did not participate in the pre-season tour of Newcastle to Asia before it appeared that he had asked to explore a relocation of Tyneside. Liverpool has since had an offer worth £ 120 million for Isak, who is currently training with his former club Real Sociedad, the team that he left for Newcastle in 2022 in a £ 60 million deal.
Currently, Liverpool does not intend to make a second offer for Isak after the fast and clear nature of the Newcastle rejection. However, now that Isak is gone on a move, Newcastle is in a difficult position and can change their posture, especially if they succeed in signing Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, as they are expected to do.
If Liverpool succeeds in signing Isak, they do not have to look beyond one of his ex-colleagues for a glowing reference. Arsenal's Merino, who played with Isak at both Borussia Dortmund and Sociedad, has spoken very much about the Swedish international, and emphasizes his adaptability and how he is the best teammate he can be 'very serious'.
Merino spoke with CBS in 2021: “I think he is a great player. I am lucky to be with him in Dortmund, we were there together for six months and when he came to La Real here, I was really surprised.
“I was really happy to see him, and we were able to talk a lot about our time in Dortmund. At the moment he is a big, large piece for us, he is doing great that he really adapts, everyone loves him in the dressing room.
“I think he speaks Spanish perfectly, so that talks very well about him, the way he wants to adapt here, the way he is so serious about his work and not just about football, but you know that you are a good teammate, be a professional.”
After switching to Newcastle a year later, Merino held his praise and supported him to be a hit in the Premier League and tell the athletics: “Alex has already started well. His way of thinking is very good. He can adapt to what you tell him.
“When he came here, he had to adapt to a very specific game system where he had a specific role to make an exact movement when the ball was in a certain position.
“Coming from Sweden and being able to adjust, showed how smart he is. With his capacities, his speed and strength, the Premier League is a good place for him. He will be great for the magpies.”
A quality that he consistently emphasized was the ability of Isak to adjust, a characteristic that could serve him well if he secured a transfer to Liverpool this summer.
In the meantime, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has responded to the rejected bid of Liverpool, which was rejected by the club's board. He said: “I think I am very removed from everything that happens at home.
“I was informed that there was an offer yesterday. That bid was rejected before I heard about it. There are people back in England who are dealing with the situation.
“I really don't know what's going to happen, but from our perspective we still support Alex in all ways, and my wish is still that we see it again in a Newcastle shirt.”