Liverpool linked with Alexander Isak alternative in pursuit of Darwin Nunez upgrade | OneFootball

Liverpool are the latest Premier League club to be linked with on-loan Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen ahead of a potential 'gold rush' on strikers this summer.

Multiple teams are desperate for a reliable goalscorer in the 'number nine' position, with Manchester City (Erling Haaland) and Newcastle United (Alexander Isak) – the only leading sides currently with one.

Arsenal were in the market even before season-ending injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, with Chelsea seeking an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson and Manchester United getting only three Premier League goals out of Rasmus Hojlund so far this season.

For Liverpool, Darwin Nunez's inconsistency has been a huge source of frustration, which could lead the Uruguayan to move on amid ongoing links with the Saudi Pro League. Diogo Jota has struggled to maintain fitness and Cody Gakpo has been preferred on the left flank by manager Arne Slot.

Osimhen is among several strikers previously linked with all or most of the clubs in need, andSky Sports report that the prolific Nigerian has been "admired for some time" by Liverpool.

On loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, he was wanted by Chelsea last summer but no deal could be agreed with the Serie A side, who have seemingly deemed him surplus to requirements.

Darwin Nunez hasn't cut it for Liverpool / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

Osimhen scored 26 Serie A goals when Napoli won the title in 2022/23. But his relationship with the club soured last season following a contract extension to 2026 that included a €130m (£111.5m) release clause, and he was eventually excluded from the registered squad and saw his shirt number handed to Romelu Lukaku.

He is likely to available for much less than that now, making him a considerably cheaper option for Liverpool and others, compared to ideal target Isak.

This season in Turkey's Super Lig, it's been 20 goals in 23 appearances, and 28 in 32 across all competitions for Osimhen, who turns 27 next season.

Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike and Liam Delap are the other prominent strikers being regularly linked with the various big-name Premier League sides.