Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has great memories of playing alongside Liverpool target Alexander Isak, who has been pushing for a move away from Newcastle United
Mikel Merino says Alexander Isak possesses one key trait that would make him a hit at Liverpool if the champions sign the Newcastle striker. The 25-year-old has been swayed by the Reds’ interest this summer.
Isak did not join Newcastle’s pre-season tour to Asia before it surfaced that he had requested to explore a move away from Tyneside. Liverpool have since had a bid worth £120million turned down for Isak, who is currently training with his former club Real Sociedad, the team he left for Newcastle in a £60m deal in 2022.
At present, Liverpool are not planning to make a second offer for Isak following the swift and clear nature of Newcastle’s rejection. However, with Isak keen on a move away, Newcastle find themselves in a difficult position and may alter their stance, particularly if they succeed in signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, as they are predicted to do.
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If Liverpool do manage to sign Isak, they need look no further than one of his ex-colleagues for a glowing reference. Arsenal’s Merino, who played alongside Isak at both Borussia Dortmund and Sociedad, has spoken highly of the Swedish international on several occasions, highlighting his adaptability and how he takes being the best teammate he can be ‘very seriously’.
Speaking to CBS in 2021, Merino said: “I think he’s a great player. I have the luck of being with him in Dortmund as well, we were there together for six months and when he came here to La Real I was really surprised.
“I was really happy to see him, and we could talk a lot about our time in Dortmund. Right now he’s a big, big piece for us, he’s doing great he’s adapting really, really good here, everybody loves him in the dressing room.
“I think he speaks Spanish perfect, so that talks very good about him, the way he wants to adapt here, the way he’s so serious about his job and about not only football, but you know being a good teammate, being a professional.”
After his switch to Newcastle a year later, Merino maintained his praise and backed him to be a hit in the Premier League, telling The Athletic: “Alex has already started well. His mindset is very good. He can adapt to whatever you tell him.
“When he came here, he had to adapt to a very specific system of playing where he had a specific role to make an exact movement when the ball was in a certain position.
“Being from Sweden and being able to adapt showed how smart he is. With his abilities, his speed and strength, the Premier League is a good place for him. He’ll be great for the Magpies.”
One quality he consistently highlighted was Isak’s capacity to adapt, a characteristic that could serve him well should he secure a transfer to Liverpool this summer.
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has responded to Liverpool’s rejected bid, which was turned down by the club’s board. He said: “I think from my situation, I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home.
“I was made aware there was a bid yesterday. That bid was turned down before I heard about it. There are people back in England dealing with the situation.
“I really don’t know what is going to happen next, but from our perspective, we still support Alex in every way, and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again.”
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