‘The pressure is enormous’ – Le Tissier: Alexander Isak not worth £150m, will struggle at Liverpool
Alexander Isak will struggle under the weight of an enormous price tag should he join Liverpool this summer.
That is according to Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier, who told Football Insider exclusively that no player, except for a “prime [Lionel] Messi”, was worth £150million.
Isak issued a damning statement against Newcastle on social media on Tuesday, 19 August, accusing his current employers of breaking promises to him that were made behind closed doors.
The striker has been angling for a move to Liverpool for much of the summer, despite the Reds already spending £79m [Sky Sports] to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Newcastle have been firm in their desire not to sell Isak, and have not budged on the mammoth asking price they set for their star man.
In response, the 25-year-old is now on strike from the club in the hopes that Liverpool will sign him, but even if he does get his move, Le Tissier warned that the striker may come under pressure quickly at Anfield.
Alexander Isak not worth £150m
This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Le Tissier explained that he did not think Isak, or any other player, bar a prime Lionel Messi, was worth £150m.
The former Southampton and England striker also thinks that the Sweden international will have very little time to find his feet at Anfield, should he make the move there this summer.
Le Tissier said: “I don’t think any footballer’s worth £150m quite frankly.
“That’s probably one of the hardest things that the players have to come to terms with when they make these moves, is having that weight around their necks of that massive fee.
“That’s one of the hardest things they have to deal with because the pressure that comes with that is enormous.
“The fans are expecting you to pull up all sorts of trees because their club just paid a king’s ransom for it.
“If it doesn’t go well straight away, people aren’t going to give you a huge amount of time to get it right.
“I don’t feel like any player is really worth £150m, maybe Messi in his prime.”
Liverpool could miss out on Alexander Isak
Amidst the chaos caused by Isak’s inflammatory allegations against Newcastle on Tuesday, few stopped to realise that Liverpool have been incredibly quiet.
The Reds made a bid worth £110m [BBC Sport] for the striker on 1 August, but have not returned with a follow-up offer since then.
Keith Wyness told Football Insider exclusively that Isak looks likely to stay at Newcastle this summer, with the Magpies under no obligation to sell their player, even if he is doing all he can to force a move.
Liverpool have identified a backup plan should their attempts to sign the striker fail this window.