Manchester City and Arsenal would have every reason to be concerned if their title rivals Liverpool seal the signing of Alexander Isak, who is one of the Premier League’s best strikers.
With Darwin Nunez’s move to Anfield not living up to expectations, where Pep Guardiola’s side have held an advantage over the Reds in recent years is having an elite number nine in Erling Haaland within their ranks.
However, Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Liverpool have approached Newcastle United to sign Isak and in case they are unable to pull off a move, they will try to bring in Magpies target Hugo Ekitike.
The Swede managed to outscore Haaland in the league last season, with 23 goals to his name while the Norwegian bagged 22 after missing six games through injury and seven in total.
Rayan Cherki must deliver promise to improve Erling Haaland if Liverpool sign Alexander Isak
All eyes will be on Erling Haaland to see how he reacts to the potential competition that Isak could bring to the table if he signs for Liverpool this summer.
However, in Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz, two players who amassed 23 and 16 assists respectively last season, the Newcastle United striker could have the edge on the Manchester City marksman.
If the deal goes through, the pressure to deliver will be on Rayan Cherki, who promised to improve Haaland by boldly claiming: “Of course! We know that when I’m in the zone, I don’t hold back.”
“So, I’m excited to help him score even more goals because I’m confident he’ll score plenty when I deliver the passes. I am also impatient to play a game in the Etihad in front of our fans with my team-mates. I am ready.”
With Cherki providing 20 assists in all competitions last season, he certainly has the vision, final ball and quality to become Haaland’s partner-in-crime during the following campaign; a dynamic that could help Manchester City pip Liverpool to the title even if they signed Alexander Isak.
The early signs suggest Cherki and Haaland could wreak havoc, with the pair looking lively in tandem against Al-Ain, as the Frenchman scored his first goal for City after initially dummying the ball, which was laid off by the star striker before he slotted it into the bottom corner.
Rayan Cherki has been brought in by City to help replace Kevin De Bruyne, a player who assisted the former Borussia Dortmund goalscorer 22 times in 95 games.
Cherki, who Manchester City signed for £33 million has the potential to stun the Premier League and emerge as the division’s finest creator but the real test will be how he deals with the pressure of doing so for a title-contending side.
Erling Haaland’s latest message to Rayan Cherki should worry Liverpool
However, Haaland sent a message to Cherki after commenting on the Manchester City midfielder’s Instagram post, writing, “Looking sharp, get ready”, which may be a sign that the duo are ready to push Liverpool to the brink regardless of whether they sign Isak or not.
After signing for Pep Guardiola’s side, Cherki expressed his ambitions at Manchester City of taking the responsibility of helping them become winners again.
As a result, City fans perhaps have no reason to doubt both players’ hunger to perform ahead of next season.
