Liverpool open talks to beat Arsenal to Alexander Isak transfer | OneFootball

Liverpool are reported to have opened talks with Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak as they prepare for a transfer battle with Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Isak has been one of the best forwards in Europe this season, scoring 23 goals across all competitions and helping Newcastle finally end a 56-year major trophy drought. Liverpool interest in the Swede was established even before he put them to the sword at Wembley on Sunday.

Likened to compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic upon making the breakthrough as a 17-year-old at Stockholm giants AIK, Isak is being looked at by Arsenal as their "priority" striker target ahead of the summer. But Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool have made contact with the player's camp, suggesting serious interest is coming from the Anfield hierarchy too.

Only Erling Haaland (21) and Mohamed Salah (27) have scored more Premier League goals than Isak's (19).

Isak is likely to command a British record transfer fee / Richard Sellers/Allstar/GettyImages

Any club wanting to sign Isak could find themselves faced with breaking the British transfer record, currently the £115m that Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo in 2023. Liverpool have proven they are willing to shell out big money for the right player, having themselves offered £111m for Caicedo, but face having to pay as much as £150m if they want to convince Newcastle to part ways with their star striker.

To raise such a sum, Liverpool are expected to entertain offers for Uruguay foward Darwin Nunez, who was heavily linked with a Saudi Pro League transfer during the recent January window. The Uruguayan was a complete unknown prior to a whirlwind 2021/22 season with Benfica that produced 34 goals in 41 games.

Liverpool agreed a total deal worth up to £85m, with Nunez showing flashes of being a top quality forward but lacking consistency and proving frustrating as a result. This season, Arne Slot has preferred Diogo Jota, when fit, and winger Luis Diaz in the 'number nine' role.

Nunez has started only eight Premier Leage games as a result and has managed just seven goals across all competitions. To compound a miserable campaign, he missed a crucial penalty in last week's Champions League shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.