‘You would want Kylian Mbappe for £130m, not Alexander Isak’ – Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher has cast doubt on Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak, insisting the Newcastle striker does not justify the staggering fee being quoted.

Isak, who was born in Sweden to Eritrean parents, has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield this summer, but Newcastle’s firm stance has left the 25-year-old frustrated.

Liverpool’s £110 million offer was rejected earlier this month, with the Magpies reluctant to sell unless they find a suitable replacement before the transfer window closes.

Writing in his Telegraph column, Carragher said he admired the forward but warned against Liverpool paying more than £130 million.

“I would like to see the Swedish striker become a Liverpool player, but not at any cost, and the suggestion that the first £110m offer for Isak is ‘derisory’ is divorced from reality. If Liverpool bid more than £130M, it is too much. You would want Kylian Mbappe for the fee,” he argued.

The former Liverpool defender highlighted concerns over Isak’s durability, pointing to a mixed record since joining Newcastle.

“Now 25, he is yet to prove he has the durability of Salah. He has failed to start 36 league games over his three seasons in England and 10 of his last 44 league goals were penalties. He would not be taking them at Anfield,” Carragher noted.

Carragher also warned that the Reds cannot afford indecision with the new season underway and Mohamed Salah set for Africa Cup of Nations duty in December.

“Slot will not defend the crown with only three out-and-out attackers of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike. Liverpool must be ruthless. It cannot be ‘Isak or no one’. Whatever their plan B is, they need to start thinking about executing it.”

With less than 10 days remaining in the window, Isak’s future remains unresolved, but Carragher’s comments underline the tension between Newcastle’s valuation and Liverpool’s transfer strategy.