Liverpool have made initial contact with Newcastle United over the potential availability of striker Alexander Isak, as the Premier League champions step up their search for a new No. 9 amid growing doubts surrounding Darwin Núñez’s future, ESPN reports.
Although no formal offer has been submitted, Liverpool have approached Newcastle to gauge the Sweden international’s situation, adopting a similar strategy to that used with other attacking targets this summer.
However, Newcastle remain adamant that Isak is not for sale. The 24-year-old forward has been instrumental for the Magpies, netting 62 goals in 102 appearances, including a standout strike against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final in March.
“Liverpool have not submitted a formal offer for Isak; however, they have made an approach to Newcastle to assess his availability,” a source told ESPN.
The Merseyside club is believed to be exploring alternatives as Napoli and other European clubs show interest in signing Núñez during the current transfer window.
On Tuesday, Liverpool rejected a €67.5 million (£58.6m) offer from Bayern Munich for winger Luis Díaz, signaling the club’s reluctance to part ways with key attacking players without suitable replacements lined up.
The Reds have already made a significant move in the market this summer by signing Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz in a deal that could rise to a British-record £116 million. It is understood that Newcastle would demand even more than that figure to consider any sale of Isak.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are actively working on a deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, with the intention of pairing him with Isak in their frontline. Although Liverpool have also been linked with Ekitike, sources indicate the club is “not convinced” by the 23-year-old’s profile.
“Newcastle are working on a deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, with a view to the forward playing alongside Isak in attack,” the source added.
ESPN