Liverpool have reportedly made an approach to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak and have communicated their interest to do a deal in the region of £120million.
According to The Athletic, the Premier League champions have not made a formal offer and are ‘well aware’ of the Magpies’ stance that their star man is not for sale.
The Reds have long admired the 25-year-old, whose 23 league goals last term were only bettered by Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah.
In all, Isak has netted 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle since his £60m signing from Real Sociedad in 2022, with his goals helping the side claim the Carabao Cup in March – the club’s first major trophy in 70 years.
Given the current reluctance of the Magpies to sell their prized asset, the Reds have reportedly identified Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike as a potential alternative. Though, curiously, the Frenchman is currently the subject of intense interest from Newcastle.
According to Sky Sports, Eddie Howe’s side’s initial £70m bid for the 23-year-old was rejected on Tuesday.
Liverpool have reportedly made an approach to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak
Arne Slot’s side are in the market for a central striker this summer in their bid to retain the Premier League
The acquisition of a player of Isak’s quality would send shivers down the spine of Liverpool’s rivals for the Premier League and Champions League, not least because the Reds have already broken the British transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
The German is one of four major additions to Slot’s squad for a combined total of £185m.
Earlier on Tuesday it was reported that the Reds were prioritising the recruitment of a ‘top striker’, with talks over Darwin Nunez’s departure set to accelerate.
The Uruguayan has been linked with Napoli and Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal but a move to the Serie A champions could be difficult with Liverpool believed to be demanding a fee in the region of £70million for the striker.
Meanwhile, according to The Athletic, the Anfield club rejected a £58.6m offer from Bayern Munich for winger Luis Diaz on Tuesday. The Reds are said to value Diaz at £86m but have expressed to suitors that they have no plans to sell the 28-year-old this summer.
Liverpool’s valuation is reportedly said to be for accounting purposes.
Diaz, whose contract expires in 2027, has attracted a wealth of interest from top European clubs this summer.
The sale of the two players would likely account for the astronomical fee required to bring Isak to Anfield this summer.
