Liverpool are stepping up attempts to bolster their striker options with Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak having emerged as their leading target.

The Reds continue to assess the market for forward alternatives as they look to reshape their attack ahead of the new Premier League season.

They have been long-time admirers of Isak, who has been an outstanding success since arriving at Newcastle and scored what turned out to be the winner against Liverpool in last season’s League Cup final.



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Newcastle have remained steadfast in their insistence they do not want to sell Isak this summer, with the Sweden international valued at approaching £100million.

The situation, though, has gained a level of intrigue by the Magpies pursuing a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike.

It emerged on Tuesday that Newcastle have had an offer worth almost €80m rejected by the Bundesliga side for the French forward.

Ekitike is another in-demand striker in this summer’s transfer market and, like Isak, is towards the top of Liverpool’s shortlist.

And the Reds are debating whether to make their own move for Ekitike given the impending need for potentially more than one new number nine option for Arne Slot’s squad.

Darwin Nunez is expected to leave should a suitable offer - in excess of £50m - be forthcoming, with Italian sides Napoli and AC Milan and Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal all tracking the Uruguay international.

Luis Diaz, who spent parts of last season as centre forward, is wanted by both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, with the latter having seen a €67.5m bid rejected by Liverpool on Tuesday.

There are doubts over the long-term Anfield future of Federico Chiesa while the Reds are also having to cope with the death of Diogo Jota, who was killed along with his brother Andre Silva in a car crash earlier this month.

No official offer has yet been made by Liverpool for Isak, and there has been no contact at present from anyone at the club to anyone at Newcastle.

However, the growing feeling is Isak could be tempted by a new challenge with the Premier League champions.


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