Liverpool are reportedly prepared to battle a host of Premier League rivals for the signature of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak in the summer transfer window.
The Reds beat Newcastle 2-0 at Anfield on Wednesday in the the league, and the result meant the Merseysiders moved 13 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal.
Boss Arne Slot has only signed Federico Chiesa as an addition to his squad in 2024-25, but the Italian has so far only featured in three top-flight matches.
However, the Dutch manager may be forced to delve into the transfer market in the summer given Mohamed Salah is out of contract at the end of the season and is set to leave the club unless an agreement regarding an extension can be reached.
GIVEMESPORT claim that Liverpool will fight other Premier League clubs for the acquisition of £120m-rated Isak from Newcastle, with the Reds keen on reinforcing their offensive ranks.
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Can Isak and Salah work in the same XI?
Salah has either scored or assisted 42 of his team's 66 goals in the Premier League, and losing the Egyptian for free could have devastating consequences for the Reds' forward line.
Slot would have to sign an attacker to replicate winger's output, and though Isak would likely replace Diogo Jota in the starting XI, his record of 19 Premier League goals this campaign highlights his ability to consistently find the back of the net like Salah.
Current Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has found it difficult to claim a starting spot in the XI, with Slot explaining that his centre-forward has to "be a facilitator".
Isak is not only an excellent finisher but he is also adept at linking up with teammates in small spaces, although he would arguably have to work on dropping deeper into midfield in order to give Salah the space he needs to run in behind opposition defences.
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A big summer for Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also out of contract at the end of the season and if both depart then the Reds will have to invest significantly in their backline this summer.
Up front, Luis Diaz and Nunez have both been strongly linked with transfers away from Anfield, and their departures alongside Salah's potential exit would leave Slot having to reconfigure his attack.
Elsewhere, the Liverpool boss has so far only shown faith in Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield, and it would be surprising if he did not add a fifth option to that group.
While Slot may win multiple trophies with the Reds in 2024-25, there is a possibility that 2025-26 could prove to be much more challenging than his first season in charge.
Lewis Nolan
