‘Alexander Isak to Liverpool is being funded by PIF – it’s going to happen’
Alexander Isak’s potential move to Liverpool is being funded by Newcastle United owners PIF.
Arne Slot’s side have already had a £120million bid for Isak rejected by Newcastle, and the striker has made his desire for a move clear.
The Sweden international refused to go on the Magpies’ pre-season tour, instead returning to former club Real Sociedad to train alone.
In order to free up extra funds for the forward, Liverpool are set to sell Darwin Nunez to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – explains that as both Newcastle and Al Hilal are owned by PIF, the Magpies’ owners are inadvertently funding Isak’s move to Anfield, through the purchase of Nunez.
‘Liverpool and PIF just doing business’
This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that there isn’t any grand conspiracy going on between PIF and Liverpool, and Nunez simply has value in the market.
The Uruguayan international is expected to make a £42.6m move to Al Hilal, after three years on Merseyside.
Wyness added that it is just business, and the Saudi League is now a global player.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It’s obviously crossed everybody’s mind that it’s strange how PIF paying a big fee for Darwin Nunez gives Liverpool the money to buy Newcastle’s best player.
“I don’t think there’s a conspiracy theory at all. I just think it’s business, and Liverpool have got quality players that have got value in the marketplace.
“We all thought Salah was going to go to Saudi. I really did. I was convinced he was going to go. But I don’t think it’s strange.
“Look, the Saudi league is now a global player, whether everybody likes it or not. They’ve got the resources and these things are going to happen. I don’t find it unusual. I don’t think there’s any grand conspiracy to it at all.
“People are spouting that, but to me it’s nonsense. It’s just the way football is panning out these days, and there’ll be swings and roundabouts all the time, and people will do business together.
“I’ve been there many times when you don’t want to do business with certain clubs because of a bad taste from the previous deal, but you get it done. You move on, and you have to let bygones be bygones. Sometimes you end up with the strangest of bedfellows in terms of doing deals for all sorts of reasons.
“What goes around comes around in football, and so you can’t dwell on feuds and disputes or where money is going to go. You’ve got to get it done and deal with whoever is there with the right price for your player, if the player wants to move and you want to move them on.”
Liverpool receive £10m windfall
Meanwhile, Liverpool have earned around £10million from their pre-season tour of Asia, sources have told Football Insider.
The Premier League champions confirmed in March they would be heading to China and Japan as part of their preparations for the new campaign.
Liverpool faced AC Milan in the newly opened Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on 26 July, where they were beaten 4-2.
Slot’s side then came from behind to beat Yokohama F. Marinos 3-1 in Yokohama on 30 July.
Florian Wirtz scored his first goal for the Reds in the fixture, while teen sensation Rio Ngumoha got on the scoresheet alongside Trey Nyoni.
For more Liverpool and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.