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Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has bizarrely questioned why Arne Slot's side would be in for the Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak this summer — insisting that he doesn't think it would be a smart signing.
Last week, it was confirmed that the Reds had brought in Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee that could reach $106 million (£79 million), including add-ons. But Isak remains on Liverpool's radar and sporting director Richard Hughes could table a bid if Newcastle softens its not-for-sale stance.
Nicol, though, says there is a much bigger priority for Liverpool to get sorted before the end of the summer, ignoring the fact that the Reds could find a solution at center-back in addition to the prospect of bringing in Isak.
"I won't be dancing on the table if Liverpool sign Isak for £120 million tomorrow," Nicol told ESPN FC. "It seems a little weird.
"I want my center-back. Had Ekitike not been at Liverpool, I would be dancing on the table if they turned around and signed Isak. But the fact that they have Ekitike, now I’m thinking it kind of feels like something you don’t need.
"While I think it's clear there's a big hole there that needs filling, you're going to spend £120 million on something you probably don’t need. It's kind of weird."
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has been looked at as one possibility for Liverpool. With under a year left on his contract in South London, he might eventually be available for a cut-price fee.
So far, Liverpool has not made a concrete move, however, and it let Jarell Quansah move to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer. Joe Gomez has since picked up a minor injury.
"I’m looking to my left (at Virgil van Dijk) and I don’t think we have a concern at center-back!" Slot said last weekend after watching his side lose 4-2 against AC Milan.
"In terms of depth? I think Ryan [Gravenberch] showed today, by the way, that he can play in that position. He did it last season as well, although we all know we favor him as a No.6. Wata [Endo] can play there.
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"Joe Gomez only has a minor injury, he has been good for us last season as well. We have enough options left. But it’s true that Jarell Quansah left and we haven’t replaced him yet."
Liverpool.com says: Signing a center-back is a must for Liverpool, or the Reds would be taking a major gamble ahead of the new campaign kicking off. But that is not to say that Isak couldn't be a possibility as well.
Slot could be down to just Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo from last season's attacking options if Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa move on. He would be just as light there as at the back in that scenario without another addition.
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