Transfer Rumours Heat Up: Liverpool and Newcastle’s Summer Dance

As the 2024-25 season nears its close, transfer speculation is already swirling around two Premier League giants: Liverpool and Newcastle United. The focus is on four key players—Jarell Quansah, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, and Joe Gomez—whose futures could shape both clubs’ ambitions for the coming years. Last summer, talks between the two sides hinted at blockbuster swaps, and now, with the transfer window looming, the rumour mill is back in full swing. Could Quansah head to Tyneside? Might Isak swap Newcastle for Anfield? Here’s the latest on these potential moves and what they mean for both teams.

Quansah: Liverpool’s Rising Star in Newcastle’s Sights

At just 22, Jarell Quansah has become a name to watch. The young centre-back, a product of Liverpool’s academy, isn’t available—at least, not according to the Anfield brass. Last summer, Newcastle made a strong push for him, valuing his potential at around £50 million. They saw him as a perfect fit for their backline, but Liverpool shut the door, unwilling to part with a player they view as integral to their future. Since then, Quansah has only grown, earning a new contract and a call-up to the England senior squad, outpacing peers like Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who carries a £60 million price tag.

This season, Quansah has had to step up, especially with injuries plaguing Liverpool’s defence. He’s shown grit at right-back—a position not his own—most notably in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle, where he held firm despite a 2-1 loss. “He’s a big part of our plans,” the Liverpool head coach has reportedly said, underlining the club’s faith in him. Newcastle haven’t given up, though. They’re expected to have him on a long list of targets this summer, alongside other centre-backs like Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who they chased last year. But prising Quansah away won’t be easy—Liverpool see him as a cornerstone, not a bargaining chip.

Isak: The Striker Liverpool Crave

On the flip side, Liverpool’s sights are set on Newcastle’s talisman, Alexander Isak. The 25-year-old Swede has been a revelation, scoring 28 goals and adding six assists across all competitions this season. His standout moment came in that Carabao Cup final, where he netted the decisive strike to end Newcastle’s 70-year trophy drought. “I don’t think too much about my future,” Isak has said, brushing off speculation, but his form has made him Europe’s most-wanted striker, with Arsenal, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain also in the chase.

Liverpool’s interest stems from their need for a reliable No. 9. With Darwin Nunez inconsistent and Diogo Jota injury-prone, Isak’s blend of pace, finishing, and composure makes him a dream fit. Newcastle, though, won’t let him go cheap—estimates suggest a bid well over £100 million would be needed to even start talks. The Magpies’ recent financial stability, bolstered by a £1.2 million pre-tax profit in 2023-24, gives them leverage. They’re keen to extend Isak’s contract, which has three years left, but he’s yet to commit. If Newcastle secure Champions League football for 2025-26, their case to keep him strengthens—unless Liverpool can tempt them with an irresistible offer.

Gordon and Gomez: Echoes of Last Summer’s Talks

The transfer chatter isn’t new—last June, Liverpool and Newcastle flirted with a blockbuster swap. Newcastle, scrambling to meet the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules by June 30, floated Anthony Gordon as a £75 million outgoing, with Joe Gomez heading the other way for £45 million. The deal fell apart when Newcastle raised funds elsewhere, selling Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh for a combined £65 million. But the interest lingers.

Gordon, now 24, has blossomed into one of Newcastle’s biggest threats. His pace and tenacity shone in that 3-3 league draw against Liverpool in December, where he outfoxed Quansah to score. Suspended for the cup final, he watched Isak steal the show, but his value to Newcastle remains sky-high. Liverpool’s interest has cooled since last summer, but his Merseyside roots—he came through Everton’s ranks—keep the rumours alive. Meanwhile, Gomez, Liverpool’s longest-serving player since joining in 2015, nearly left for Newcastle last year. At 28 by May, he doesn’t fit Newcastle’s push for a younger squad under sporting director Paul Mitchell, who prefers players under 25. Still, his versatility—covering centre-back and full-back—could tempt Eddie Howe if other targets slip away.

What’s Next for Both Clubs?

The stakes are high as summer nears. For Liverpool, the future hinges on more than just Isak. With Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all out of contract in 2025, and Alexander-Arnold reportedly close to a free move to Real Madrid, the club’s owners are bracing for a rebuild. A £57.1 million pre-tax loss in 2023-24 hasn’t dented their financial health, thanks to years of careful planning, but big moves—like chasing Isak—might require sacrifices, potentially involving Quansah or Gomez. Newcastle, meanwhile, are buoyant after their cup win and revenue growth, up 28% year-on-year. Keeping Isak and Gordon is key to building on that success, but Quansah remains a tempting target to bolster their defence.

Could a swap deal resurface? Liverpool might dangle Gomez or even Quansah to lower Isak’s price, though Newcastle’s resolve will be tested if Champions League football isn’t secured. “It’d be crazy to sell our best players,” a Newcastle executive has hinted, signaling their intent to hold firm. For now, both clubs are playing a waiting game, balancing ambition with pragmatism as the transfer window looms.