Liverpool to rival Arsenal for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak | OneFootball

Liverpool have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, according to The Times.

Arne Slot’s side have coasted through the season without a reliable centre-forward, which makes their imminent Premier League triumph even more mind-boggling.

Slot prefers to field Cody Gakpo on the left flank, where he made a name for himself during his spell at PSV Eindhoven.

It’s not surprising that the 25-year-old has thrived under Slot’s leadership this season, returning 16 goals and five assists in 38 games across all competitions.

He has also played his part in Liverpool’s title charge with eight goals and three assists in 26 Premier League games.

Diogo Jota is Slot’s designated centre-forward, but the Portuguese forward has struggled with recurring injuries, while Darwin Nunez’s inability to hit the target makes him far from reliable.

Nunez has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot, although he has featured 36 times this season, returning six goals and five assists.

However, he has missed ten big chances across all competitions and drawn blank in his last nine games.

His struggles in the final third have forced Slot to use a false nine system at times, with both Luis Diaz and, more recently, Dominik Szoboszlai taking up that mantle.

Mohamed Salah’s talismanic performances have covered up Liverpool’s need for a prolific centre-forward.

However, it has now become a priority, with Salah’s long-term future still up in the air.

Liverpool rejected a mouth-watering bid from Saudi Arabia for Nunez in January, but he could be the first one out the door in the summer.

His potential exit could help the Reds raise the required funds to rival Arsenal in the race to sign Isak.

The Swedish striker has developed into one of the best strikers in the Premier League – and probably – in the world.

Newcastle are ready to wage war to keep him at St. James’ Park beyond this summer and have set the tone by slapping a ridiculous £150 million price tag on their high-value asset.