Alexander Isak: Liverpool transfer plan emerges 'as £150m Newcastle star encourages bid' | OneFootball

The Reds have route to record-smashing bid as the striker signals his interest

Liverpool could sell three first-team stars to raise funds for a record-smashing bid for Alexander Isak, who is ready to leave Newcastle.

Widely reported on Tuesday, the Premier League champions have confirmed with Newcastle their interest in signing Isak as they look to discuss a deal for around £120million. That would top the £116m deal which saw Florian Wirtz move to Anfield earlier this summer.

Newcastle immediately responded by telling Liverpool that Isak is not for sale amid their own attempts to lure Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, who the Reds are ready to turn to if the Magpies stand firm.

The Telegraph have previously reported that Newcastle have slapped a £150m price tag of Isak's head, which would comfortably be the most expensive British transfer of all time.

The same outlet reported on Tuesday that the club believe Liverpool's public courting of Isak is an attempt to unsettle the striker. It is also suggested - as is the case with the subject of many transfers - that Liverpool will have been encouraged to make the approach. Question marks have now been raised over Isak's reaction to the potential move.

Darwin Nunez is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Liverpool are looking for a new striker and hope to sell Darwin Nunez after three underwhelming seasons. Napoli have ended their interest after agreeing a €35m deal to sign Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese, in a blow to the Reds, but Saudi clubs remain interested, notably Al Hilal.

A bid from Bayern Munich for Luis Diaz was rejected on Tuesday, as many outlets report. The £58.6m opening offer was dismissed out of hand by the Reds, who reportedly value the Colombian at around £85m and told Bayern he is not for sale. Diaz reportedly reacted by telling Liverpool he wants to leave. An improved bid is likely.

Meanwhile, West Ham have been linked with interest in Harvey Elliott, who has a £40m asking price. That figure, it has been claimed, could be reduced but the young midfielder could still command a fee of around £30m. The Hammers have also been linked with Tyler Morton.

Bayern Munich target Luis Diaz has told Liverpool he wants to leave

AP

Sales of Nunez, Diaz and Elliott could see Liverpool rake in combined fees of close to Isak's supposed asking price, while Ibrahim Konate is also attracting interest from abroad.

The Daily Mail report that Liverpool have drawn up a list of cheaper Isak alternatives, which include the aforementioned Ekitike, along with Ollie Watkins, Victor Osimhen, Yoane Wissa, Rodrygo and, remarkably, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.

Newcastle still in contention to land Ekitike themselves. A £70m bid has been rejected and Eddie Howe's Saudi-backed side are losing hope over another striker signing, after missing out on Joao Pedro to Chelsea.