3 days ago
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Liverpool has been told that in order to sign top target Alexander Isak, they will have to table a mega-money bid and wait for Newcastle United to sign someone else.
The Reds are less than a week away from beginning their Premier League title defense, as Bournemouth makes the trip to Anfield on Friday. With the 2025/26 season almost underway, fans will be looking forward to seeing Arne Slot's squad in action domestically - but some may be disappointed that Isak hasn't been unveiled as a new Liverpool player in time for the league campaign to begin.
British publisher The Telegraph reports that the Reds could still secure Isak's signature, provided two conditions are met. The first is that Newcastle secure two elite forwards to replace Isak, and the second is that Liverpool table a £150 million offer, which translates to roughly $202M.
However, the report suggests that both scenarios are unlikely to materialise at this point. The Reds have already added seven new faces to their squad this summer, spending over $336M to procure some of Europe's finest talents.
Isak was once a major target for Slot, with an initial bid of over $134M being rejected by the Magpies as they had been battling Manchester United for Benjamin Sesko's signature. However, Ruben Amorim won that battle and completed Sesko's transfer earlier this month, meaning Howe will have to look elsewhere for a potential new striker.
With Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike both signing this summer to add to Liverpool's front line, it has been plain to see that the Reds are looking to add more threat up front. But their preparations for the upcoming season were hampered by defeat in the Community Shield on Sunday.
Liverpool were held to a 2-2 tie by Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium, eventually losing 3-2 in a penalty shootout. Despite taking the lead twice through new signings Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, Palace struck back twice to bring the game level and send it to a penalty shootout.
While Alisson and Dean Henderson were both on top form in goal, it was the latter who took home the trophy as Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliot and Alexis Mac Allister all missed for the Reds.
That cup loss may push Slot to add even more to his growing squad at Anfield, with reported interest in Brentford forward Yoane Wissa materialising as of late.
Wissa has been the subject of intense speculation about a potential departure from the Bees, with many expecting him to join Newcastle if he were to exit the Gtech Community Stadium.
Sky Sports has reported that Liverpool expressed "late interest" in securing Wissa's signature, likely due to them missing out on Isak for now. Despite this newfound interest from the Reds, it appears Wissa won't be heading to Anfield and is set to sign for Newcastle instead.
However, this could add to the growing rumors that Isak will eventually end up joining the Reds this summer, as Newcastle continues its bid to find a replacement for the Swede in their number nine position.
Across three seasons, Isak has scored 62 goals and assisted 11 times for the Magpies, winning the Carabao Cup against his potential future club Liverpool last season.
His prolific goalscoring has attracted interest from many potential suitors, but the Reds will be hoping they get their hands on him soon, as he will only add to their talented roster for the future.
Liverpool begin the Premier League season on Friday at Anfield, where they will face AFC Bournemouth.
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