2024/2025 English Premier League Thread

[Locke]

Reading that Liverpool have an agreement with Isak leaving it up to the Clubs to negotiate a fee.

In the meantime apparently Isak is training privately with Real Sociedad.

Still think we need a CB.

[Locke]

Clearly the secret for Spurs to defeat Arsenal is simply to not to play them in England.

[Locke]

Liverpool have seen a bid for striker Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle United, sources have told ESPN, with the offer well below his £150 million ($197m) asking price.

A source told ESPN that Liverpool's offer was worth up to £110m ($145m).

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/...castle-sources

[devo22]

the whole saga is absolutely insane in every single way. Newcastle holding out for £150m, Liverpool spending like a drunken sailor, bidding £110m after spending a fortune on another striker already. Madness.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

the whole saga is absolutely insane in every single way. Newcastle holding out for £150m, Liverpool spending like a drunken sailor, bidding £110m after spending a fortune on another striker already. Madness.

Yup. I'd agree with all that. Absolute madness.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I mean Mason ####ing Mount was worth £60 million with one year left on his contract. Isak at £150 million with three years left on his deal is a discount, comparatively speaking. No lose situation for Isak though, he either goes to Liverpool, or gets a big pay bump from Newcastle with a likely release clause as a consolation prize.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I mean Mason ####ing Mount was worth £60 million with one year left on his contract. Isak at £150 million with three years left on his deal is a discount, comparatively speaking. No lose situation for Isak though, he either goes to Liverpool, or gets a big pay bump from Newcastle with a likely release clause as a consolation prize.

It kinda feels like Liverpool are lobbing grenades at Newcastle. £110 was never going to get accepted and they'll probably pay the £150, but it feels like they're dragging it out deliberately to a point where Newcastle wont have any time to replace him.

[devo22]

they'll bring in a replacement first. They really don't need the money ... this whole summer has been a nightmare for them. Mutiple targets rejecting them, now their star player wants to leave for Liverpool.

[Senator Clay Davis]

And thats with CL football and Saudi sugar daddy cash. Can only imagine how grim this window would have been for Newcastle if Villa won that final game of the season.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by devo22

the whole saga is absolutely insane in every single way. Newcastle holding out for £150m, Liverpool spending like a drunken sailor, bidding £110m after spending a fortune on another striker already. Madness.

Agreed about Liverpool, but from Newcastle's point of view, why wouldn't you hold out for a huge fee? He's top five strikers worldwide.

[devo22]

sure. £150m is Mbappe money though, that fee is practically unheard of in world football. Neymar (through a release clause) and Mbappe, that's the list. I don't see Isak in that echelon.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by devo22

sure. £150m is Mbappe money though, that fee is practically unheard of in world football. Neymar (through a release clause) and Mbappe, that's the list. I don't see Isak in that echelon.

They don't need to sell right now as Isak has plenty of term left, and they've got a tough epl and European season coming up. Get ridiculous money if you can, otherwise just keep him.

[devo22]

I get it. Just think £150m is an insane amount of money, that's all.

I don't know what Liverpools plan is. I wonder if an Isak transfer only became a realistic scenario after they signed Ekitike, otherwise it doesn't really make sense. They'll tell you it was their plan all along, but I doubt they'd have gone for Ekitike had they felt they could move for Isak. Paying £80m on a promising 23 year old striker, only to make him the backup/sidekick to a 25 year old £150m striker ... feels weird.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by devo22

I get it. Just think £150m is an insane amount of money, that's all.

I don't know what Liverpools plan is. I wonder if an Isak transfer only became a realistic scenario after they signed Ekitike, otherwise it doesn't really make sense. They'll tell you it was their plan all along, but I doubt they'd have gone for Ekitike had they felt they could move for Isak. Paying £80m on a promising 23 year old striker, only to make him the backup/sidekick to a 25 year old £150m striker ... feels weird.

Hedging their bets, I guess. Perhaps they thought Ekitike could replace Diaz on the left if Isak ends up arriving, but I'm not sure how much he's played wing. And let's not forget about Jota... if Isak gets hurt in round 1, Ekitike is better than Gakpo or Nunez (if he even stays) at 9.

[MegaErtz]

They steamrolled almost everyone until they ran into PSG in early March. After that, they were running on fumes. You need a bigger squad to compete, especially with the added couple of matches to the Champions League group stage. Darwin Nunez will be out the door once they bring another attacking player in.

Loss: Jota, Diaz, Darwin

Gain: Etikite, possibly Isak, Wirtz if they play him that far forward

Still need to bring in a CB to replace Quansah.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I'm guessing it wouldn't be £150 million if this were Madrid making the approach. PL tax has to be applied. If he was English they'd probably be asking for £200 million. It's a crazy fee, but Newcastle have a lot of leverage.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by devo22

I get it. Just think £150m is an insane amount of money, that's all.

I don't know what Liverpools plan is. I wonder if an Isak transfer only became a realistic scenario after they signed Ekitike, otherwise it doesn't really make sense. They'll tell you it was their plan all along, but I doubt they'd have gone for Ekitike had they felt they could move for Isak. Paying £80m on a promising 23 year old striker, only to make him the backup/sidekick to a 25 year old £150m striker ... feels weird.

I think this is the most likely scenario. Bought Ekitike when it seemed like Isak was impossible, and now that Isak is kicking up a fuss it makes the transfer possible.

150 is crazy money, I can’t wrap my head around that.

[devo22]

BBC now reporting that Liverpool are pulling out.

[Senator Clay Davis]

And now here comes Chelsea over the top to get him for the £150 million.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

BBC now reporting that Liverpool are pulling out.

Unless this is just the game. Who knows?