Dream striker is now BEGGING for a Liverpool approach

Liverpool have got big plans to land an elite No9 this summer. With Darwin Nunez set for a transfer out of the club, it leaves space for a new option in the centre-forward position.

The Uruguayan has simply failed to win over Arne Slot over the course of the last year - scoring only five Premier League goals during the title-winning season.

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The 25-year-old would prefer to stay in Europe and AC Milan, Atletico Madrid as well as Napoli have all been extensively linked. And if Nunez goes, the Reds sporting director Richard Hughes will have plenty of money to add to the transfer kitty.

READ MORE: Liverpool look to Saudi Arabia for £60m striker deal

Liverpool could earn around £60m for Nunez - which can be then put towards a new striker.

Isak is Liverpool's dream No9

The dream option remains Alexander Isak. Newcastle’s main centre-forward scored 23 goals as the Magpies qualified for the Champions League last season.

He has taken a huge step forward towards world-class status - but currently doesn’t have the pay packet to match.

Having signed from Real Sociedad for £63m back in 2022, the Swede is under contract at St. James’ Park until 2028 on around £120k per week.

Compared to his striking peers, that is a relative pittance. Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland for example are both on over £500k per week with their respective clubs.

Newcastle would dearly love to tie Isak down to a new deal - in order to avoid him leaving on a free transfer down the line - but it’s going to take one almighty pay bump.

Isak welcomes Liverpool interest

And that is why, according to Ben Jacobs, the 25-year-old is very welcoming of Liverpool’s genuine interest. The player will be seeking to use Liverpool’s offers as leverage in upcoming contract talks with Newcastle - thereby extracting the maximum salary possible.

“Is Isak welcoming of the links? Of course, because it gives him maximum leverage to go back to Newcastle and give him a new deal,” he tells NUFC Matters. “There’s a lot of noise because the interest is genuine.”

But there remains the possibility that Liverpool test Newcastle’s resolve this summer if they conduct the right amount of outgoing business.

'Every player has a number'

If they could get a deal over the line for Isak, it would give them a dream new strike force of Isak ahead of new playmaker Florian Wirtz. It’s not going to be cheap, according to Jacobs, but he also suggests the Geordies could be open to doing a deal.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano drops MASSIVE hint that Liverpool have won striker race

“What’s Newcastle’s position? Is it a British transfer record? Is it as some sources imply, over £150m, or even £200m?” he asks. “There will come a point where every player has a number.”