As the season nears its end, and Liverpool closes in on the Premier League title, attentions are beginning to turn to what will be a busy transfer window for the Reds.
Arne Slot’s men will be aiming to take another big step toward being crowned champions when they head to Fulham on Sunday, and they wouldn’t mind a favor from their city rival as Everton takes on Arsenal on Saturday. The Liverpool boss will know he has plenty on his plate heading into the summer.
There is of course the matter of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s futures to sort out, although an announcement might be on the way soon in that regard. But even with a title well within their sights, the Reds have plenty of areas that need some fresh legs, not least up front – and two names are being linked with replacing Darwin Nunez as the No. 9.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds.
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Alexander Isak is favoring a move to Liverpool rather than Arsenal, according to TBR Football.
It’s suggested that Viktor Gyokeres has now emerged as the Gunners’ top choice as they target a new striker in the summer, with the Swedish star being considered ahead of Benjamin Sesko and Victor Osimhen.
Isak has also been linked with a move to North London, although Arsenal is said to have taken him off the table due to the Newcastle star favoring Liverpool should he leave St James’ Park.
Liverpool.com says: That will be music to the ears of Liverpool fans if Isak is indeed favoring a move to Anfield rather than the Emirates Stadium. Crucially though, the more important question is whether he favors a move to Liverpool other extending his stay at Newcastle.
If the Magpies can get into the Champions League, that will strengthen their hand, and make it a lot more difficult for Liverpool to sign Isak. In any case, he won’t come cheaply, so the Reds could do with having a plan B…
Victor Osimhen (Napoli, on loan at Fenerbahce)
Victor Osimhen could be an alternative to Isak for Liverpool this summer, with Sky Sports reporting that the Reds have admired him for some time.
It’s claimed that Newcastle is determined to keep Isak and want him to sign a new contract. What’s more, he is expected to cost more than $129 million (£100M).
Osimhen, meanwhile, is set to be on the market again when his loan at Fenerbahce comes to an end. Napoli also valued him at $129 million last summer, although it’s suggested that has come down since with just a year left on his contract in Italy.
Liverpool.com says: Osimhen is an interesting alternative, not least because you can pretty much guarantee he will be available this summer. A move to the Premier League is surely on the cards, and if Isak is going to prove too expensive, then why not look at Osimhen?