Liverpool's chances of signing Alexander Isak revealed

Liverpool aren't optimistic about their chances of signing Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak this summer, reports claim although there is no "set budget" for transfers.

Arne Slot has led virtually the same squad left behind by Jurgen Klopp to Premier League glory at the first attempt. But there is an understanding that, despite ultimately winning the title comfortably, this Liverpool side is in need rebuilding over the few transfer windows.

With Darwin Nunez failing to justify his club record £85m price tag, a striker is a key area for improvement, even with Mohamed Salah signing on for two more years.

In the same manner as Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, the Reds have been linked with several 'number nine' options in the market – including Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike.

Isak, the only player to score fewer Premier League goals than Salah this season, would be the ideal recruit for each club. The Swede is tall, powerful, quick and a cool finisher and proven in England. At 25, he is also still young enough to offer long-termism, increasingly a factor in recruitment strategies.

But the price Newcastle, who are understandably disinclined to sell, would ask is prohibitive. Estimates in recent months have ranged from £120m up to £150m.

The Telegraph writes that while Liverpool are willing to "pay big money for the right player", as shown by a £111m bid for Moises Caicedo in 2023. But they are also "realistic" about their chances of pulling off a deal for Isak.

Those chances are considered to be "slim to none", with Newcastle on course to qualify for the Champions League and therefore set to enjoy the kind of greater financial riches that minimise pressure to sell key players. The Magpies also view themselves as a direct rival from a sporting perspective, and have Isak under contract until 2028, all factors which don't add up to a transfer.

Liverpool have previously been reported to only be interested in making an approach for Isak if he is actually available, in other words not wasting time on a transfer that is a non-starter.

Ekitike is an alternative, but his price seems to have been upped by Eintracht Frankfurt ever since the young Frenchman was initially identified as a cheaper option than Isak. He could now cost £80m or more and Liverpool are not in the market to take big risks on someone still relatively unproven.

The Telegraph suggests Liverpool are not thought to be working within a particular budget. Instead, the spending money on offer will be determined by the availability of potential targets, topped up by selling Nunez, who is heavily linked with the Saudi Pro League, and some fringe players.

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