Liverpool told to attempt Darwin Nunez transfer swap with deal that 'suits all parties'

Former Newcastle United defender Stuart Pearce has suggested that Liverpool should propose a swap deal to secure the services of Alexander Isak this summer.

Last week, Isak reported a thigh injury ahead of the club's trip to Asia and withdrew from training. He stayed at home and didn't travel with the squad. However, it later transpired that the striker had informed the club of his wish to explore his options this summer.

Liverpool has been a long-term admirer of Isak, but Newcastle has remained steadfast in its position that the striker is not for sale. The Reds are prepared to pay a huge fee for him, but only if the door opens at St James' Park for an exit.

Pearce has suggested that Liverpool could help ease Newcastle's need for a replacement by offering Darwin Nunez in part-exchange. The Uruguayan has drawn interest from a variety of places, including Italy, this summer.

"I think if a deal does get hashed with Newcastle, I think maybe [Darwin] Nunez going in the opposite direction to Newcastle might be the way that makes Newcastle better off," Pearce told Chronicle Live.

"In my opinion, Nunez might be the one full of energy. He might just be the one that the new Newcastle fans take to. He creates chances for himself, for sure.

"He's just been a little bit wasteful over time. If he gets that right, all of a sudden he'll be a very effective replacement for Isak. If I was Newcastle, I would say, look, if at the end of the day we're going to lose Isak, send Nunez to us and then we'll have a bash with him.

"You've played at Newcastle, they just love their own players up there, especially the forwards, don't they? You know, I can see, you've seen Nunez, he goes in, he misses a chance, he misses another one, but he keeps going.

"He's unshakable in that respect. And you think that's a great trait to have as a striker. It's the ones that pull their neck in and don't get into missing chances. So I think I could see him playing for Newcastle, I really could, if they needed a replacement."

Liverpool has already signed Florian Wirtz for a club-record fee this summer but could strike again for another huge deal. Isak would cost in excess of the $155 million (£116 million) package it took to prise the German from Bayer Leverkusen.

"The title is over if Liverpool get Isak, yes," Pearce continued. "They've ended up investing in what they've got and bring him and his goals through the door to add to [Mohamed] Salah would be incredible."

Speaking about the situation earlier this week, Magpies boss Eddie Howe commented: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him.

"I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control."

Liverpool.com says: While transfer swaps are often put forward as possibilities, they never normally happen in reality. PSR has meant that doing deals separately for spreadsheet purposes makes much more sense.

Aside from that, Nunez going to Newcastle feels unlikely. The 26-year-old would be much better served getting a move outside of the Premier League for a fresh start. Going to Serie A, with Juventus among those being linked with him, could really pay off.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.