Darwin Nunez's shirt quantity U-turn as Alexander Isak dream poses Liverpool drawback
Liverpool wish to seal a blockbuster deal for Alexander Isak this summer time, however as issues stand, they gained't have the ability to supply the Swede his two most popular squad numbers
Alexander Isak could possibly be denied his dream shirt quantity if he joins Liverpool. The Newcastle striker is the Reds' prime attacking goal, and whereas a transfer initially appeared out of attain this summer time, Isak's current request to discover his choices has shifted the panorama.
Newcastle had beforehand insisted the 25-year-old was not on the market at any worth, prompting Liverpool to show their consideration elsewhere. That led to a £79million deal for Eintracht Frankfurt ahead Hugo Ekitike being unexpectedly sealed. Nevertheless, Isak's obvious push for a transfer has reignited curiosity at Anfield.
To safe the Swedish worldwide, Liverpool will virtually actually want to interrupt the British switch document for a second time this window, having already spent £116.5m on Florian Wirtz. Earlier this month, Newcastle reportedly rejected a £120m method from the Reds, with hypothesis mounting that the Magpies may demand upwards of £150m.
Including one other layer to the potential deal is the difficulty of blouse numbers. Isak has lengthy favoured the No. 14 shirt – worn by his idol Thierry Henry – however that quantity is at the moment occupied at Liverpool by Federico Chiesa. He's additionally a fan of the No. 9 shirt, having worn it for a number of years on the worldwide stage.
The No. 9 at the moment belongs to Darwin Nunez, however the Uruguayan has been closely linked with a transfer away from Anfield this summer time – probably opening the door for Isak to inherit the enduring quantity. Ought to Liverpool land the Newcastle striker, Nunez would discover himself pushed additional down the pecking order, notably with Ekitike and Cody Gakpo additionally vying for minutes. That, in flip, may speed up his exit.
Even when Nunez stays, there's a precedent suggesting he may quit the No. 9 shirt willingly. Final yr, he ceded the quantity at worldwide degree to Uruguay legend Luis Suarez, who returned to the squad after a prolonged absence.
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Suarez – who famously wore No. 7 throughout his time at Liverpool – was touched by the gesture, praising Nunez's character. "He, with the humility that he has, an excellent child, stated, 'No, Luis, you're the No. 9. I'm going to respect you'," Suarez recalled.
"These are particulars that exhibit the greatness and humility of a participant who’s going to be the most effective, if not [already] the most effective on this planet right this moment."
Whether or not Nunez would supply the identical courtesy to Isak stays to be seen. The identical might be stated for Chiesa, who holds Isak's dream No. 14 shirt.
Isak has beforehand defined the roots of his affection for No. 14. Talking to Newcastle legend Alan Shearer in January, he stated: "Thierry Henry [who wore No. 14 at Arsenal and Barcelona] was undoubtedly one participant I preferred a bit additional.
"Many nice gamers have had No. 14. [David] Ginola at Newcastle. Once I signed for Newcastle, out of the numbers that have been obtainable, I feel 14 was the enduring one. I'm pleased with No. 14, however then again, I do know No. 9 is a particular shirt."
Isak has worn the No. 14 at Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund, and sometimes with the Swedish nationwide group. At Actual Sociedad, he sported the No. 19 – a quantity at the moment occupied at Liverpool by Harvey Elliott. Nevertheless, with Elliott additionally tipped for a summer time departure, that shirt may current one more different.
For now, the Isak switch saga is at a tense standstill. The Swede is but to participate in Newcastle's pre-season preparations, largely as a result of hypothesis surrounding his future.
Magpies supervisor Eddie Howe claimed that no quick determination could be made about Isak, and whereas he did admit there was an opportunity the striker could be bought, he insisted he was "assured" Isak will keep.
"I wouldn't put a timescale on it. I feel with these conditions it must be proper for the soccer membership, and every thing then is taken into context beneath that," he instructed reporters.
"However the membership will make the correct determination with all the data that it has, and in the end to attempt to transfer the membership ahead in no matter method that’s. Then it's as much as us to make good selections the opposite method and attempt to enhance the squad as greatest we are able to. That’s what we're attempting to do, no matter Alex's scenario.
"However I feel there's a wider image right here. There's a complete soccer membership that has to make the choice. The possession, along with the board of administrators, particularly with the cash concerned in modern-day transfers. The supervisor, after all, has an opinion, however in the end the choice will relaxation with the board."
"In fact, there are issues occurring behind the scenes [with Alex]. He might be conscious he's within the information on daily basis, and I'm positive that's not simple for anybody in that scenario. Conversations that occur between Alex and the membership or Alex and myself will keep personal for apparent causes. We do share a extremely good relationship with him.
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"He's been magnificent for us and he's extremely popular within the dressing room. We'd love him to proceed his journey at Newcastle. I actually hope he stays. And I stated [last weekend] I used to be assured that he'd keep. I don't see something that's going to vary that opinion of mine in the meanwhile, however it's soccer and who is aware of what the longer term might convey.
"All I might say on the broader image is no matter occurs must be proper for Newcastle. We're in a really robust place financially. We're decided to achieve success. We’re bold. We've received an awesome season forward of us. We have to add to the squad and proceed to enhance, and the journey can proceed in an upward trajectory."
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