Rooney backs Isak move

Wayne Rooney argues Liverpool should sign Alexander Isak before the deadline, saying the move could push their title bid to new heights.

Rooney backs Isak move to propel Liverpool

Wayne Rooney told BBC's Match of the Day that signing Alexander Isak before the transfer deadline would make Liverpool unstoppable. Liverpool's opening bid for Isak, around £110m, was rejected by Newcastle United, who say the striker will not be sold. Isak is eager to join the Premier League champions and is prepared to press for a move. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has said the club controls Isak's future, while Liverpool has already spent heavily this summer, including players such as Frimpong, Wirtz and Ekitike. The season opener is a trip to Bournemouth.

Former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew criticized Isak's handling of the situation, saying he has handled it badly and that his advisers have pushed him to press for a move. Howe reiterated that Isak remains contracted to Newcastle and that the club will decide his future. Newcastle kicks off the season at Aston Villa, with Liverpool set to defend their title without the completed deal in place for Isak.

The Isak case exposes how a single bid can shape a club’s strategy and a player’s career in football’s modern market. Public support from former players like Rooney adds pressure on Newcastle and can influence fan sentiment during a fragile deadline window. If Isak signs, Liverpool would add another high-priced weapon to a squad already built to win now, potentially shifting the balance of power in the league. Yet the episode also highlights risks around short-term fixes at a time when clubs face growing financial scrutiny and the challenge of integrating new stars quickly into a title-chasing team.

Highlights

The next days will show where this chapter ends.