Liverpool have set their sights on Alexander Isak, despite spending close to £300million already in the summer on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. The Newcastle striker dropped a bombshell when he reportedly told the club he wanted to leave, having already asked for a mega new contract, putting Arne Slot’s Reds on high alert.
There has been some debate as to how Liverpool can continue spending, in a summer where many of their Premier League rivals are hamstrung by profit and sustainability regulations. They are said to be able to continue spending freely, having decided against adding to the squad a year ago.
Isak is set to cost a new British record fee, with Newcastle demanding over twice as much as the £63m they paid Real Sociedad three years ago. He could cost as much as £150m if Newcastle play hardball.
It remains to be seen whether or not Liverpool can afford such a spend outright this summer, but those funds may yet be raised through three deals.
Darwin Nunez would almost certainly depart if Isak and Ekitike both walk through the Anfield front door. His playing time deteriorated under Slot and he has been linked with a move away for several months.
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Napoli, who were thought to be Nunez’s preferred destination, opted against meeting Liverpool’s asking price and brought in Lorenzo Lucca instead. Suitors remain in Saudi Arabia as the Reds seek £60m for their surplus-to-requirements striker.
Such a pot could be added to exponentially if Luis Diaz gets his move to Bayern Munich. The addition of Wirtz has left room for the winger to leave, having been omitted from the squad on Saturday for the friendly defeat to AC Milan.
Slot confirmed that Diaz was not involved “due to speculation on his future” and the Bundesliga club are confident of getting a deal closed for around £65m, according to Foot Mercato.
Their sales, along with Harvey Elliott’s potential departure, would raise the entirety of the necessary funds to bring Isak to Merseyside.
The England Under-21 midfielder similarly struggled to win over Slot and has interest from West Ham and Brighton.
Just this week the £50m-rated talent admitted that he needs to be “selfish” when considering his options this summer.
Speaking to The Anfield Wrap in Hong Kong, Elliott said: “If I had my way, I’d be at Liverpool for the rest of my career. I love everything about the club. But at the same time I kind of need to be selfish and see what’s best for me. I have big ambitions. I want to go to the World Cup. It’s still something I need to review
“We have had many new players come in, whether that blocks the path for me, I don’t know. It is something I need to decide. My main focus is here, unless anything changes.”