1 week ago
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Liverpool has reportedly confirmed to Newcastle that it is willing to pay $161 million to sign Alexander Isak this summer.
It has long been known that Isak is Arne Slot's number one striker target, but there were major developments in the story yesterday as it was widely reported that Liverpool had contacted Newcastle over a possible deal.
The Reds are in the market for a new striker, with uncertainty remaining over the future of Darwin Nunez. And while the sporting consequences of Diogo Jota's tragic death are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, his passing coupled with Nunez's possible departure leaves Liverpool at risk of going into the new season without a genuine striker.
Isak has been a revelation since moving to the Premier League three years ago, and he would be a dream signing for the Reds, but up until Tuesday it felt as though a deal might be out of reach due to the finances involved.
Liverpool has already spent big this summer to secure the services of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, while Giorgi Mamardashvili's move from Valencia is also classed as a 2025 transfer.
However, the Reds seemingly do have the financial muscle to do a deal for Isak. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported: "Liverpool approached Newcastle, there is club to club contact, and that's a really big step. Liverpool want to try in a really serious way to try and get Alexander Isak. Liverpool are aware of Newcastle's stance of Isak — the message they always got was: not for sale.
"But Liverpool always wanted to try, and now they have presented their idea of a proposal to Newcastle. Liverpool told Newcastle that they are willing to pay $161 million for Alexander Isak.
"The player did not close the door to Liverpool, but he remains in conversations with Newcastle because they hope to offer him a new contract. The player seems to be open the move to Liverpool, so now it's in Newcastle's hands.
"This summer, during the window they (Newcastle) always said that the player is not for sale. Newcastle insist on this position, but Liverpool still want to try.
"It can't be too long (for Newcastle to respond) also because Liverpool have Hugo Ekitike as one of the potential targets — the main target if they don't get Alexander Isak.
"For Liverpool, it is: let's go for Isak if Newcastle open the doors, and if they don't, we can try to get Hugo Ekitike, who is also wanted by Newcastle."
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