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Liverpool's players have concluded their Asia tour and headed back to the UK. But the work is not done this summer, either on or off the training pitches in Kirkby.
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak remains of interest to Liverpool this summer, and the Reds could do with signing a center-back too. "I always say, another thing about Liverpool is that if we see a chance in the market, we never hesitate to bring someone in," Arne Slot told The Athletic this week.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. Isak, of course, is the only place to start as the rumors continue to swirl.
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Liverpool and Newcastle have "progressed" in talks over Isak, according to Sky Germany. It is suggested that the Reds would like to pay around $172 million (£130 million), including add-ons, but Newcastle wants $198 million (£150 million).
Isak's camp is supposedly "very positive" that a move could happen. Personal terms will not be an issue should the deal get the green light, though Newcastle would have to accept defeat in keeping its star man.
"The whole thing can be unsettling, the surrounding noise behind it," former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi, who is now both a club ambassador and the Magpies' loans manager, told Chronicle Live.
"But I know inside the squad from being at the team hotel, everybody is focused on the job. That is to qualify through the group stages of the Champions League and make it back into the top four, while trying to win another trophy.
"(The Isak situation) does not change any of that. We have to be level-headed around this and focus on the task at hand. It will be a long, grueling season."
Liverpool.com says: Isak would be an incredible signing, but it looks like Newcastle might need to get a replacement in before it happens. Yoane Wissa and Benjamin Sesko are both on the Magpies' radar.
Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo would prefer to sign for Liverpool over anyone else this summer, according to Siro Lopez. The player has been linked with Spurs and Arsenal, among others, but would like to move to Anfield.
Under Xabi Alonso, Rodrygo could fall down the pecking order at the Bernabeu because of the competition for places at Real Madrid. Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe both prefer to play in his best position, on the left wing.
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Rodrygo would be "delighted with the project" at Liverpool, according to the report. Real Madrid is supposedly demanding around $106 million (£79 million) for the player, which is the same as what the Reds paid for Hugo Ekitike.
Earlier this week, Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, leaving Cody Gakpo as the senior option in that position. But Rio Ngumoha appears to have emerged as a genuine depth option ahead of the new campaign.
Liverpool.com says: Signing Isak and Rodrygo this summer, having already splashed the cash to bring in Florian Wirtz, seems a bit of a stretch, even if Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa follow Luis Diaz out of the exit door.
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