Liverpool interested in Alexander Isak 'as three-man striker shortlist emerges' | OneFootball

Newcastle star is a long-time target amid reported interest in Hugo Ekitike and Victor Osimhen

Liverpool are now expected to focus on signing a new elite striker, with Alexander Isak part of a possible three-man shortlist.

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Arne Slot is keen to continue bolstering his Premier League-winning squad with patience finally running out on £85m flop Darwin Nunez, who is expected to leave this summer. The Athletic report that both Napoli and Al Hilal are monitoring the Uryuguan. Federico Chiesa is also likely to leave should an acceptable offer come in.

The same report details Liverpool's intention to sign a new striker, and Newcastle frontman Isak remains of significant interest along with Hugo Ekitike, who the Magpies are currently looking to sign to play alongside the Sweden star.

Also named are Victor Osimhen, who Napoli are keen to offload and last week rejected a bid in the region of €75million (£65m) from Galatasaray as they were unhappy with the payment structure. Osimhen spent last season on loan at the Turkish giants and is reportedly willing to return on a permanent basis.

Hijack? Hugo Ekitike is in talks over joining Newcastle amid interest from Liverpool

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Liverpool are also credited with interest in Joao Pedro, who Chelsea signed for £60m earlier in the window, and Nicolas Jackson, who will see his Blues spot threatened by this new team-mate. The Athletic suggests Jackson is not a realistic target given his Chelsea ties.

That appears to leave long-time target Isak, along with Ekitike and Osimhen, as the three strikers most in Liverpool's thinking as it stands.

Newcastle remain in talks over signing Ekitike for a club-record £65m and, The Athletic add, remain adamant that the move is no indication over Isak's future as the plan is to play the pair together.

Manager Eddie Howe is keen to tie Isak down to a new contract, but his current terms run for another three years so there is no immediate need to do so.