Alan Pardew names one man who will absolutely hate Alexander Isak joining Liverpool

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Alexander Isak is set to become the most expensive player in Premier League history, taking Liverpool’s spending over £450m this summer.

Liverpool last night agreed a £130m fee with Newcastle for Isak, joining Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz in arriving at Anfield. Marc Guehi could see the figure move closer to £500m after a £35m fee has been agreed with Crystal Palace.

Isak brings elite Premier League experience after 27 goals last season, and will make Arne Slot’s side the clear favourites to retain their title after such an impressive summer.

However, former Premier League manager Alan Pardew believes Isak’s arrival will annoy one of their new signings just three games into the new season.

Alan Pardew says Hugo Ekitike will have valid concerns over Alexander Isak to Liverpool transfer

Hugo Ekitike joining Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt in July for an initial £69m, beating Newcastle to his signature after the Magpies had hoped to sign him as a potential Isak replacement.

Instead, both Isak and Ekitike will be lining up for the same team as they compete for the sole striker’s spot in Arne Slot’s system.

And that is why Pardew feels Ekitike will be annoyed at Isak’s arrival, telling Sky Sports News: “I think Hugo Ekitike and his agent will be concerned about Alexander Isak joining. Let’s be honest.

“My opinion, where’s he going to play? I don’t see him playing together, one or the other. I think so. And I think he’ll be coming off and on the bench.”

Hugo Ekitike may have to move positions to get game time at Liverpool when Alexander Isak signs

Ekitike has three goals and one assist in his four Liverpool appearances so far, but may find his game time reduced now he is competing with Alexander Isak for minutes at Anfield.

In fact, across his career, Ekitike has only ever played as a centre-forward, barring three games for Stade Reims and one for Vejle Boldklub, in which he has one goal and two assists. But a change of position at this stage of his career would represent a major switch.

Meanwhile, Pardew did say the options now available to Slot will make Liverpool a ‘real force’ this season. He said: “You know, “Last year, the great options he had was that interchangeable front five or six options.

“He kept changing them suddenly, something on, something off. Of course, he has that now back again. So Liverpool are going to be a real force.”