The Alexander Isak saga has Newcastle United fans—and Premier League rivals—on high alert as Liverpool’s hunt for the Swedish striker intensifies. The Magpies’ refusal to bow to The Reds’ record-shattering £110 million bid was neither theater nor empty posturing; the club has drawn their line at £150 million, a sum that would smash transfer records and reshape the landscape for both clubs. 

Liverpool are not only the reigning champions, but online betting odds providers also make them the favorites to go on and claim a second straight title next term. While Bovada’s live betting odds won’t officially be up and running until the first game of the season kicks off on August 15th, their outright markets are available, and it’s Arne Slot’s side that currently tops the pile. Bovada currently has them priced at 2.70 to successfully go back-to-back, well clear of both Arsenal and Manchester City. 

Should Isak arrive, then their strength will be sent to another stratosphere, especially with the arrival of Florian Wirtz already secured. Newcastle already know what they have in their super Swede. But what if the irresistible offer comes? What if Isak, the man whose 23 Premier League goals catapulted the Toon Army back to the Champions League last term, waves goodbye to Tyneside? 

Replacing Isak is not merely a matter of goals—it’s about leadership, dynamism, and maintaining the trajectory that has inspired Geordie dreams of a new era. Who rises to the top of the shortlist? Three names dominate the conversation. 

Yoane Wissa

Yoane Wissa is not just a name whispered in Newcastle corridors—his name is underlined. The Brentford attacker has carved out a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most versatile threats, thriving alongside Bryan Mbuemo in West London last term. 19 league goals and five assists last campaign were not merely statistics; they were evidence of a player unafraid to shoulder responsibility and capable of altering the momentum of games almost single-handedly.

Break down Wissa’s influence, and the appeal becomes obvious. His movement is precise, his acceleration sharp, and he has a knack for appearing in the right spaces at the right moments. Wissa’s directness, allied with a surprising composure in front of goal, dovetails with Howe’s penchant for aggressive pressing and swift transitions. In close contests, he is a catalyst—turning the mundane into the dangerous with one clever run or deft touch.

Yet, here lies the challenge: Newcastle is a different world from Brentford. The glare of expectation will be more intense, the scrutiny relentless. Is Wissa ready to be the primary attacking talisman rather than the supporting act? His ability to scale up—to not just maintain, but elevate his output—will determine if he is more than just a capable Premier League forward.

Benjamin Šeško

Few names have generated more debate in Newcastle’s recruitment ranks than Benjamin Šeško. The 21-year-old Slovenian, now plying his trade at RB Leipzig, has already drawn parallels to Erling Haaland thanks to his imposing 6’4” frame, devastating pace, and surgical finishing.

Šeško’s numbers are eye-popping: double-digit goal hauls in both his Bundesliga seasons, a shot conversion rate north of 20%, and attacking heat maps showing a forward constantly testing the backline, oscillating between poacher and target man. He’s more than just an aerial threat; Šeško drops deep, links play, and draws defenders out of position, giving teammates invaluable space.

What makes Šeško so appealing is not just his ceiling, but his readiness. He has scored Champions League goals, thrived against elite defences, and demonstrated a composure well beyond his years. Yet, acquiring him won’t be simple. RB Leipzig, famed negotiators, will demand a sum upwards of £70 million—and with Arsenal and Liverpool already securing alternatives – namely Viktor Gyorkeres and Hugo Ekitike – Newcastle enjoys a narrow window of opportunity.

But the question remains: can Šeško shoulder the weight of replacing Isak, St. James’ Park’s darling? The swing between generational talent and transfer flop is razor-thin. 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

For all the talk of Galáctico arrivals, sometimes the pragmatic solution holds appeal. Dominic Calvert-Lewin—27 years old and currently a free agent—embodies the contradiction at the heart of English football. On one hand, he owns 50 Premier League goals in 213 appearances for an often toothless Everton. His 2020/21 campaign was a masterclass in movement, aerial dominance, and poise under pressure.

Calvert-Lewin is lethal in the air: 30% of his goals have come via headers, and he routinely ranks among the league leaders in aerial duels won. He’s a classic center-forward—hold-up play, link-up, and an ability to drag defenders into uncomfortable zones.

But no analysis is complete without the elephant in the room: injuries. The past two seasons were marred by hamstring strains and setbacks, halting his rhythm and sowing doubt among even the most ardent supporters. For Newcastle, signing Calvert-Lewin would represent both value and uncertainty—a potentially inspired rotation option, but a risk if handed the starting role. If the recruitment team sees him as one piece of a broader offensive puzzle, the move could work; if he’s Isak’s sole successor, the fanbase may bristle.