Liverpool are considering a record-breaking bid for Alexander Isak this summer in a move that could see their total summer spending rise to £300million.
The Premier League champions have already spent heavily in the current transfer window, and while no formal bid has been tabled yet, discussions around a potential £130m package for Isak are rolling.
It would mark a significant escalation from last summer, when Liverpool spent just £10m on Federico Chiesa and £25m on Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The club’s recruitment this summer already includes a British-record move for midfielder Florian Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, as well as full-backs Milos Kerkez (£40m) and Jeremie Frimpong (£30m).
So how can the Reds afford to splash out again on another marquee signing without breaking financial fair play rules?
How Can Liverpool Afford Isak?
Alexander Isak. 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/XhxN6qKGm0
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) July 15, 2025
Despite the scale of their spending, Liverpool remain in a healthy financial position due to several revenue-boosting developments.
They earned around £175m in prize money from their title-winning 2024-25 campaign and will also benefit from a full season of increased matchday revenue following the completion of Anfield’s expanded Anfield Road End.
A new kit deal with Adidas, reportedly worth £60m per year, will also kick in from August 1, replacing their agreement with Nike.
These factors, coupled with conservative spending in recent windows, place Liverpool well within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, which cap losses at £105m over a three-year period.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire explained the situation on BBC Sport, adding: “They’re in an incredibly strong PSR position. Out of the top six clubs, they’ve spent the least in this three-year cycle – only £325m – and that includes their signing of Florian Wirtz.
“They’ve still got plenty of wiggle room with their transfer budget. Plus, a move for a striker is likely to be paid in instalments, meaning the cost can be spread over multiple seasons.”
Liverpool’s recent strategy has focused on value-driven investment rather than spending for spending’s sake. Over the past three seasons, the club’s net transfer spend has been relatively modest -£4m, £96m, and £53m.
By contrast, rivals like Manchester United have posted net spends of £119m, £133m, and £190m over the same period.
“Liverpool have been outside the top-10 spenders on player signings since 2019, but their model is a classic case of being smarter rather than bigger,” added Maguire.
“Liverpool’s model has been to ignore the noise and only buy a player if they truly improve the squad. It’s a Moneyball, more analytical approach.
🚨 Liverpool are “toying” with the idea of attempting to sign both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, which would cost in the region of £200m. 🤯
(Source: @BILD) pic.twitter.com/ozhEUiUfVT
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 16, 2025
“Chief executive Michael Edwards does a brilliant job and he never buys players because of external pressure. He doesn’t get jittery when fans call for more signings.
“Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and potentially Isak are big signings, but they all improve the Liverpool squad, and the Reds do have an awful lot of PSR headroom.”
Who Else Could Sign Isak?
Newcastle maintain that Isak is not for sale, and with three years remaining on his contract, a move would likely require the player to push for an exit.
Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Newcastle are also in a secure PSR position and under no financial pressure to sell.
Other elite clubs in the market for a forward may find the £130m fee difficult to justify. Although Arsenal are reportedly financially capable – and “could easily spend over £200m” this window, according to Maguire – they are instead expected to finalise a deal for Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres at £63.5m.
Manchester City are unlikely to enter the striker market with Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush already in place, while Manchester United would need major sales to fund a move. Chelsea, meanwhile, have recently signed forwards Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
