The Isak Saga

[Crimson Dynasty]

I read that newcastle turned offer down stating isak not for sale untill they get replacements in which is proving difficult.
Its pointless liverpool putting in a 2nd offer untill newcastle have there replacements,imo this is whats happened and not liverpool stepping away.

Officially, they turned it down because we didn't meet their valuation of him.

But they're delusional if they think us or anyone else are going to pay 150-170 Million for him.
I can't even see the Saudi clubs paying that much.

Unofficially, yes, it's the fact that they don't have a replacement lined up - but that is ultimately their own failing.

They've known that Isak would want to leave if Liverpool showed interest, and their initial plan had been to go for Eketike as a replacement. The question is whether they knew that Eketike's position has always been that he would not leave for any other club than us. If they didn't they have a terrible scouting and recruiting department, and if they did, then they're incompetent in still trying to convince him.

(to be fair to them, this isn't just a slam against just them. We too showed a bit of that level of lack of competence last time out trying to get Caciedo whent he player had always had his heart set to going to Chelsea and had already been in discussions with them in the background when we went in with our bid. I always hated that we did that. And then made it worse by having Flavia as a backup-option, who himself wasn't too thrilled at the prospect of being a second-choice to failing to get Caicedo.)

I think there could be more to this story than we're ready and it wouldn't surprise me if we don't do anything more towards this deal before the window closes, and then in January we get a deal - like we did with Virgil where the situation was almost identical with Southampton rejecting our approach and accusing us of tapping him up, us pulling out completely from the deal, Virgil being very upset with Southampton (but not being disrespectul), but ultimately leading to Southampton having to sell him to us anyway in the January window that followed.
AT the time too, the same excuse was also given that they hadn't got a replacement yet for him and wouldn't sell until they did.
And that may be true, even now.
Unfortunately Newcastle seem incompetent in this regard, and someone on the internet made the joke that maybe they should let Hughes handle the task of finding them their Isak replacement

[CCTV]

Am I the only one that isn't wholy convinced by him? Don't get me wrong, I think he'd be more effective than Nunez but there's just something about him I can't quite put my finger on.

One thing, is if we do end signing him, nobody can accuse FSG of sitting on their hands this summer!

He has a similar feeling to Rice imo, a good player but not worth the fee.

[eggy81]

I know it’s a mad thing to say but 110m seems a very lowball offer. Had to have known that wouldn’t get it done.

[miller0863]

They would also know that Newcastle couldn’t be seen to take the first offer

[teesred]

He has a similar feeling to Rice imo, a good player but not worth the fee.

To be fair as much as I can't stand Rice I think he's been worth the fee. He's made a massive difference to Arsenal.

[justme]

Don't forget the departure of Diaz, who filled in at the 9 in most games.

Really, the death of Jota and Diaz leaving (and potentially Nunez too) all does leave us with a massive hole in the central striker role.

We could go with a lineup that has Eketike with Wirtz playing farther forward in that false 10 role as a front pairing while Szobo and/or Macca slot in behind them in the central midfielder position.
But it's the depth I'm more worried about.

We need at least one more attacker even if we may play some games with Wirtz in a forward role rather than midfield.

Is Rio ready,......especially if we need to have some games with Gakpo playing central as he has both with us and the Dutch national team?

One thing is clear.
If we do go for another striker in the market (even if lower profile), that will pretty much spell the end of Isak's dream to move to us.

If we really want Isak, i think we'll wait.. Newcastle need money anyway, they are shafted when it comes to PSR.. I can imagine Newcastle's manager wanting the money to invest in the squad, Its whether the Newcastle owners think more of their ego than the club..

[LFC-DPG]

I know it’s a mad thing to say but 110m seems a very lowball offer. Had to have known that wouldn’t get it done.

It’s only what the Newcastle based press (Craig Hope) have been saying.

I think it’s a fairly reasonable offer. How does the club know what Newcastle value the player at unless they make an offer?

There is talk of £150m but I doubt it will get near to that.

Can see the club going back in with £120 + extras then leave it if that is rejected.

[eggy81]

I agree it’s a reasonable offer in terms of actual sanity. But having paid more for wirtz I don’t think we expected it to be accepted. Rumours we verbally offered more in the initial approach last month. 120 plus add ons is being bandied about. It’s gonna take 140 I’d say all in. Too much imo.

[Diego20]

I must say i'm pretty excited about the prospect

Isak

Gakpo/Etikeke Wirtz Salah....

Oh my days..

And isak, scored enough at newcastle, safe to say we've got better support and he'll get more chances here better quality around him

I mean if i really wanted to be greedy..... a salah that doesn't age and Rodrygo on the left...! now diaz has gone

Good luck at defending.

[Insidious]

It’s gonna take 140 I’d say all in. Too much imo.

I always find value and perceived value fascinating as a general point, especially within football.

On the one hand, £140m is four Mac Allisters, which many would agree is a massive overpay.

On the other hand, come the end of the window, the sales of Elliott, Núñez, Quansah, Doak and Morton (if all came to pass) probably covers 90% the fee for arguably the World's most in-demand number nine, which feels like reasonable value given how little we would anticipate Slot using those lads.

His feet is likely huge, but if it puts us in a position to win, let's say, 3 of the next 7 League campaigns and a Champion's League, it would be perceived to be money well spent.

[Diego20]

Also...... I know nunez isn't the best, but aren't we leaving ourselves a little short if he goes too?

Isak/Ekiteke

On the left Gakpo and a 16 year old, on the right salah and Chiesa? ?( is he staying or going, or will he be fit at all for some games??)

and if Isak doesn't come, we're going to have scramble around for a striker bigtime because we'll be looking very light in attack.

I hope we get him, could be the new gerrard&torres-- even better possibly wirtz&isak, who knows they'll both have better players around them compared to gerrard and torres.

if we don't get him, and nunez goes I hope we sign a LW and a CF, doesn't look like we're that arsed about CB for some reason which is a bit risky due to VVD's age and konate injury prone and probably running contract down, and don't get me started on gomez.

[miller0863]

Are you suffering from some form of schizophrenia?

[Diego20]

Are you suffering from some form of schizophrenia?

?

[miller0863]

One post you were excited at all of our transfer activity the next you were in crisis over our squad shortcomings. Which is it?

[Diego20]

One post you were excited at all of our transfer activity the next you were in crisis over our squad shortcomings. Which is it?

you can be excited about one area, I.E the quality, but concerned about the depth too.

Aren't you? a few injury's we'll be stuffed in the scenario i've said, or expecting a 16 year old who looks good don't get me wrong, but not ready for the prem week in, week out just yet.

Or is chiesa going to turn into a god, and be fit all season?

Especially amount of games we have to play, if we go far in all cups, we burned out in the champions league.

Who knows, maybe we're playing Kerkez at LW , Frimpong at RW ! With Robbo/Tski LB and Bradley/Gomez at RB! can't see many goals mind you, but isak will be scoring 50 a season anyway