Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Isak wants to leave Newcastle, Luis Diaz to Bayern

Bayern bid for Diaz imminent

If you're wondering how Liverpool might be able to afford to continue its summer spending free, selling Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich to boost the Reds' transfer kitty by $88 million is one way.

Bayern's new bid for Luis Diaz expected imminently. Understand it will be circa €75m. Bayern won't go higher than €80m. https://t.co/ajfo75t84e

Newcastle exploring options to replace Isak

Newcastle is exploring possible alternatives to Alexander Isak in case the Swede leaves the club this summer.

The Athletic reports that Newcastle continues to maintain that Isak is not for sale, but the chance to bring in a huge sum for a player who seemingly no longer wants to be there must appeal.

Newcastle is currently trying to wrap up a deal to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford, in a deal which would be independent of any developments regarding Isak's future.

Bradshaw signs first Liverpool contract

Young Liverpool winger Joe Bradshaw, 17, has signed his first professional contract with the Reds.

The teenager finished last season as the Under-18s' top scorer, registering 14 goals and five assists.

The view from the North East

Luke Edwards, who reports on soccer in the North East of England for The Telegraph, says Newcastle has no intention of letting Alexander Isak leave.

Newcastle United position remains the same. They continue to insist today that Alexander Isak is not for sale and he will not be leaving this summer. But they potentially have an unhappy player on their hands. Will take all Eddie Howe’s powers to get his head right before the…

Saudi Arabia not on the cards for Isak

A move to Saudi Arabia is not currently on the cards for Alexander Isak, and considering his value, that doesn't leave many potential suitors besides Liverpool.

Breaking: Isak tells Newcastle he wants to explore his options

Alexander Isak has told Liverpool that he wants to explore the possibility of leaving the club this summer, according to reports.

The Daily Mail says that Newcastle is aware of Isak's desire to explore his options — and one of those options could be for him to join Liverpool.

Read the full story here

Frankfurt's 'irritation' with Newcastle

Eintracht Frankfurt was reportedly irritated that Newcastle submitted a bid for Hugo Ekitike, despite having no assurances from the player that he wanted to join the North East club.

Newcastle moved for Ekitike at the start of last week, offering $95 million for the France Under-21 star, but Ekitike told Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoller that he didn't want to join the Magpies.

Frankfurt rejected Newcastle's offer several hours after receiving it on July 15 — which was the same day that Liverpool also informed the Bundesliga club of its interest in signing the player.

According to Bild, Ekitike made it clear to Frankfurt that he wanted to join Liverpool, and from that point on he was only ever going to move to Anfield.

Mac Allister misses training again

Alexis Mac Allister was once again missing from Liverpool's squad as the Reds took part in an open training session in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Around 25,000 fans were in attendance at the Kai Tak Stadium to watch Liverpool's players training as Arne Slot's side continues its preparations for Saturday's friendly against AC Milan.

Once again though, Mac Allister was not present alongside his teammates. The midfielder sat out the back end of last season through injury, as well as missing his international duties with Argentina earlier in the summer.

Read the full story here

Isak not in Newcastle tour squad

Alexander Isak has not traveled with his Newcastle teammates for the club's pre-season tour of Asia. The official word from the club is that his absence is due to a minor thigh injury.

Rodrygo latest

Real Madrid is reportedly willing to sell Liverpool target Rodrygo for $106 million this summer — the Brazilian is seemingly not in new manager Xabi Alonso's plans for the new season.

Ekitike handed temporary squad number

Liverpool has confirmed that Hugo Ekitike will wear the number 54 during the club's pre-season tour of China.

Liverpool announced Ekitike's arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday, after the Reds agreed to pay $93 million plus a possible further $13 million in add-ons for the French striker.

Ekitike underwent his medical in London earlier this week and is set to link up with his new teammates ahead of the upcoming friendlies in Asia against AC Milan and Yokohama F. Marinos.

A decision will be taken on Ekitike's permanent new squad number closer to the start of the season, when the picture becomes clearer over which numbers are set to become available due to player departures.

Why Ekitike

Liverpool feels it has signed a player capable of becoming one of the best strikers in the world. Ekitike can play as a multi‑functional forward and is able to stretch the back four, drop deep, and pull into the wide areas. While data is limited, the Reds believe Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are the only strikers in recent years to have shown better stats at a comparable age. Liverpool also feels his finishing, the one area where Ekitike’s numbers aren’t outstanding, will improve over the coming years.

Ekitike details

What a week it has been for the Reds in terms of attacking recruitment. It all started last week when word of Newcastle's approach for Ekitike first reached Liverpool's ears. Although the champions’ interest was long established, it waited until a deal was almost agreed before approaching Eintracht Frankfurt. In the meantime, a tentative enquiry was knocked back for Alexander Isak, while Manchester United made an unsuccessful last-ditch attempt to sign Ekitike. It failed, and Liverpool pushed on in its pursuit of the Frankfurt forward. Suddenly, St James’ Park felt like an unlikely destination. A fee was agreed between the clubs on Monday, a medical took place on Tuesday, and today, he's officially a Red!

Liverpool confirms Ekitike signing

The Reds have confirmed its seventh arrival of the summer window, with Ekitike joining Liverpool for an initial fee of £69 million ($94M), plus a further £10M ($14M) in add-ons. He has signed a six-year deal and will now meet up with the squad in Hong Kong.

Former Slot favorite on the move

Atletico Madrid is closing in on the signing of David Hancko, according to Fabrizio Romano. The defender, who played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, has previously been linked with a move to Liverpool, but is set to join Atleti for a fee of €34million ($40M/£29M) plus add-ons.

Chelsea in talks with defender

The agent of Jorrel Hato has confirmed he could be on the verge of joining Chelsea. “The only thing I can say is that Jorrel is now going to talk to Chelsea,” Hato’s representatives told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf. Liverpool has been linked with the defender all summer and he even attended a game at Anfield last season.

Dean Saunders on Alexander Isak

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders believes Alexander Isak would be keen to make a transfer move to Anfield this summer — not least because of the business that the Reds have already done this summer.

"It's hard to turn Liverpool down when they look like the favorites to win the Champions League and the favorites to win the Premier League, Saunders told Liverpool.com on behalf of NewBettingSites.uk.

"Isak is loved by all the fans at Newcastle but I think all the fans would understand if Liverpool come calling, then you have got to consider it.

"I've been at Newcastle and it's a magnificent club. I was there with Graeme Souness and I remember him saying to me, 'If we get it right here, we will walk on water'.

"At the moment, the fans seem in harmony with Eddie Howe and the club is going in the right direction. But Liverpool look like spending £270m, Arsenal are spending £200m, Man City £200m... the next step for Newcastle is to jump above them.

"Isak must be happy there because he can see the project that Eddie is putting together. He won't want to leave but as a striker myself, if Real Madrid or Barcelona or Liverpool come in, and Man Utd used to be a top team, those are the teams that you wanted to play for.

"It's hard to say no to that. Look at the players you are playing with. Anthony Gordon, or Salah. There is no point beating about the bush: Liverpool have got better players than Newcastle."

Price tag won't impact Wirtz

Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has backed Florian Wirtz to succeed at Anfield and shrug off the pressure associated with his record-breaking transfer fee.

“I have seen him a bit, not much, but I think he is a midfielder who can score goals, can assist and link-up with the strikers - we don't know the system that Arne [Slot] will probably play - but I think he will add something different to the players we have in midfield," Lucas told the Liverpool ECHO during an interview in Hong Kong.

“Of course, the price tag, it always comes with big expectations but I think he has shown that he is capable of doing that and he won the league, the cup and he has good experience as a national team player so I think he is arriving in a team that is very well organised, which will just give him the freedom to express himself.”

Gravenberch excited by Wirtz

Ryan Gravenberch has been impressed with what he's seen so far from Florian Wirtz during Liverpool pre-season training.

Speaking about Liverpool's new signings, Gravenberch said.: "Jeremie [Frimpong], obviously I know him for a long time already so I have a really good relationship with him. So I’m really happy that he is here.

“We had a little FaceTime [before he signed]. We spoke to each other and he asked me about Liverpool and everything and I gave him really good advice! I am happy that he is here.

“I think everyone knows Florian and also here in training he is a really good player: technical, really good vision, so I am really happy that he is here and I can’t wait for the season to start also to play with him.”

Konate's priority

Ibrahima Konate is prioritizing renewing his contract at Liverpool, according to reports.

Liverpool journalist David Lynch told Sports Mole that talks between Liverpool and Konate don't seem to progressing, but that the Frenchman would like to remain on Merseyside.

Konate's contract at Liverpool is due to expire at the end of next season.

Dalglish's advice for Wirtz

Sir Kenny Dalglish is someone who knows about dealing with big expectations at Anfield, and he has urged Florian Wirtz to just be himself as he looks to handle the pressure of becoming Liverpool's most expensive signing of all time.

“I don’t know if he can expect the same as me. I came in the year after they’d won the European Cup as well," Dalglish said. “Kevin Keegan moved away. He asked to go and he moved to Hamburg. I only came in and tried to be myself. You’ve got a better chance of being yourself than trying to impersonate someone else.

“I think it’s the same for anybody that moves to the football club. If you move from one to another, just be yourself because that’s the reason why you’re there. They wouldn’t have picked you if you were something different.”

Rodrygo talks 'escalating'

Liverpool's interest in Rodrygo is escalating, and the club has taken the next step in the process, according to Foot Mercato.

The French outlet reports that discussions have now commenced between Anfield bosses and the 24-year-old's representatives to explore the feasibility of his potential move to the Premier League, eight years after he initially turned down the Reds as a teenager.

No direct contact has been made with Real Madrid yet. England is reportedly Rodrygo's preferred destination, despite the allure of Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern.

Bayern set to make improved Diaz offer

Bayern Munich is reportedly set to make an improved offer for Luis Diaz, with the Bavarian club willing to pay up to €80 million ($94 million) to sign the 28-year-old.

Ahmed signs first pro deal

Kareem Ahmed has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool.

The 18-year-old, who can play as a forward or as an attacking midfielder, will spend this season with Rob Page's Under-21 side.

Liverpool's Cresswell interest

Liverpool is considering swooping for Charlie Cresswell, a young English defender who currently plays for French club Toulouse.

The Reds are in the market for a new center-back following Jarell Quansah's switch to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer, which left Arne Slot with just three senior central defenders in Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate. Give Me Sport reports that Liverpool scouted Cresswell on several occasions last season, with scouts seemingly impressed by what they saw.

Liverpool has not firmed up its interest yet, but Cresswell is said to be very much on the Reds' list of center-back targets for the remainder of the window.

Federico Chiesa interest ramps up

AC Milan could offer Federico Chiesa a way out of Liverpool this summer, according to Caught Offside.

Ahead of the World Cup next summer, Chiesa needs to get regular game time again. A move back to Italy would appear to make sense.

Ibrahima Konate and Real Madrid

Real Madrid believes that it needs to sign a new center-back this summer, with Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate and Arsenal's William Saliba both under consideration.

That is according to MARCA, who report that Los Blancos could make a move for Konate before the end of this window. It claims that Liverpool doesn't want to lose Konate for nothing so could cash in.

Federico Chiesa wait

Left at home as Liverpool went to Asia on tour, Federico Chiesa could leave before the window closes. According to Football Italia, Atalanta is the latest club to show an interest.

It reports that the Serie A side needs to sell Ademola Lookman to Inter Milan. Once that deal goes through, it will then move forward with a deal for Chiesa.