Stefan Borson reveals who ‘lost’ in Alexander Isak’s record-breaking move, it’s not just Liverpool
Alexander Isak’s first season at Liverpool hasn’t gone to plan following his big-money switch from Newcastle United.
Isak completed his £125million move to Liverpool on 1 September, breaking the Premier League transfer record.
After struggling to get up to speed in the opening months of the campaign at Anfield, Isak is facing a spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg against Tottenham on 20 December.
The injury came about following a sliding tackle by Micky van de Ven, who was unable to prevent the Sweden international from getting on the scoresheet in the process.
Isak is expected to be out for a couple of months, meaning it will be late in the campaign before he returns for Arne Slot’s side.
Newcastle ‘overpaid’ to sign Alexander Isak replacement
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider both Liverpool and Newcastle “lost” in the Isak deal.
Newcastle replaced the 26-year-old striker with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, with those deals worth more than £120m combined.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Isak’s injury, Borson said: “You effectively bought a player and you’ve lost almost an entire season of one of the most expensive players ever, but that is just the game and there’s no precise science to it.
“Ultimately, everybody played hardball in the summer and I think everybody lost really. I mean, Newcastle lost because they ended up losing the player but also overpaying for the replacement.
“Not so much for Woltemade I suppose with the benefit of seeing how it’s performed, but certainly Wissa was clearly overpriced as part of that transaction. They’re doing okay in the Champions League, but they’re obviously very disappointing in the Premier League.”
Although Woltemade has registered nine goals in 25 appearances since joining Newcastle, Wissa only made his debut for Eddie Howe’s side in December after picking up a knee injury.
Liverpool and Newcastle’s wish revealed after Isak transfer saga
Borson insisted Liverpool and Newcastle would prefer to have agreed a deal for Isak at the start of the summer in hindsight.
“I think everybody was a bit of a loser from the way that deal played out,” said Borson.
“If they all did it again, they might just do the deal early in the summer and it would have worked for everybody in a better way.
“But as I say, I think if you sign players for £100m, you’ve got risk. It’s always the same.”
Isak has registered just three goals and one assist in 16 appearances since joining Liverpool.
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