Could Liverpool lose Alexander Isak already?! Reds warned Barcelona will eye transfer when Robert Lewandowski leaves

It has been only just over a month since Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for a British record £125 million ($169.3m) transfer. The Swede did not have a proper pre-season due to his tussle with the Magpies over his desire to leave, which prompted Eddie Howe to remove him from the first-team squad. As a result, it took some time before Isak could regain his full fitness and match sharpness and he is still adjusting to life in Merseyside.

Isak has appeared in six matches across all competitions thus far, including three in the Premier League, out of which he started in two games. He has one league assist and a goal in the Carabao Cup for Arne Slot's side.

Even before he could settle in Liverpool properly, Isak is already being linked with a move away from Anfield as ex-Barcelona and Spain star Gaizka Mendieta has claimed that the Catalan giants could chase the forward as they eye him as a replacement for their ageing star Robert Lewandowski. It was reported last week that Barcelona are leaning towards not offering Lewandowski a new contract when his existing deal expires next summer. The decision means the 37-year-old will be able to walk away as a free agent after four years with the club. The veteran forward has scored 105 goals in 156 appearances for Barca, with four already coming this season, including a brace in a late cameo off the bench to seal a stunning 6-0 win over Valencia in September.

Speaking to OLBG, Mendieta said: "There was talk in Spain of Alexander Isak going to Barcelona before he joined Liverpool who are stronger financially. Of course, there will be links between the best strikers and Real Madrid and Barcelona, at the moment Barca still have Robert Lewandowski, but they'll be looking for his replacement next year and Isak will be looked at. He's a great striker, he's been in La Liga already, he knows the competition. His performances last season for Newcastle were amazing. So far he seems to be settling quickly into Liverpool. Great strikers are never short of offers and opportunities in either Premier League or of course in Spain with the bigger clubs."

The other names that Barcelona could consider signing as Lewandowski's replacement are Manchester City star Erling Haaland and Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez. Haaland has reportedly become an "obsession" for Joan Laporta, with Barcelona's president confident that the Norwegian striker can be prised away from Manchester City, despite the striker being tied to a contract in England through to 2034 and is reported to be earning £400,000 ($533,355)-per-week.

World Cup-winning Argentina international Alvarez, who has enjoyed a purple patch ever since he moved to La Liga in 2024, is also under consideration in Catalonia. It is, however, Haaland that remains the dream addition for ambitious Laporta.

Sweden are at risk of losing out on a place at the 2026 World Cup in North America as they have secured just one point from their first three matches and are at the bottom of their qualifying group. During the weekend, Sweden went down 2-0 against Switzerland as both their star strikers, Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, failed miserably. The Reds star will now aim to register a goal and bring his national team back to winning ways against Kosovo on Monday.

Following the international break, Isak will be back in action for the Reds against rivals Manchester United as the two sides lock horns in a crucial Premier League encounter on October 19.