EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool line up club record bid for Julian Alvarez

It isn’t Alexander Isak or bust for Liverpool this summer.

As revealed by the likes of David Ornstein of the Athletic, the Reds are interested in the Newcastle United forward. They aren’t the only team keen on the 25-year-old, though. There’s a queue forming for the 19-goal forward. Arsenal remain involved and Chelsea, of course, are shoehorning themselves into discussions.

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Initially, the feeling was that the former Borussia Dortmund man would favour a move to London. However, there’s now a belief that Merseyside appeals to the Sweden international.

The eventual price tag for him will likely depend on whether or not the Magpies qualify for the Champions League. If they do, they could command a Premier League record fee, expected to be close to £150million. If they miss out on playing in Europe’s premier club competition, a bid closer to £100million might be enough to secure his services.

Unlike previous summers, Liverpool have given themselves options in the transfer market. It doesn’t have to be Isak.

Benjamin Sesko is on the shortlist.

The RB Leipzig forward could be available for €80million this summer, per Sky Sports. The 21-year-old is another being courted by a host of clubs. Liverpool’s relationship with the Red Bull owned club could stand them in good stead and there’s the Jurgen Klopp factor to leverage.

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He’s perhaps not in the same sphere as Isak just yet, he’s netted just 10 goals in the Bundesliga this term, but the potential is scary. Within the club, he’s viewed as someone who could, with the right guidance, develop into the best striker in the world. But it is worth noting here that there was also a belief, at one stage, that Darwin Nunez could, one day, be that player too.

Sesko has some fans within the club. Julian Alvarez has a lot of supporters at Liverpool.

The former Manchester City man was on the club’s wishlist last summer. He was at the top of it. Things just needed to fall into place for a deal to materialise.

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Gonzalo Siegrist, a senior scout for the Reds covering South America, had been pushing for the Argentine since his days with River Plate. Siegrist spent time with Alvarez last summer discussing a potential move to Anfield. Alexis Mac Allister, one of his best friends away from football, played his part in the charm offensive too.

Newly appointed Sporting Director Richard Hughes flew to Madrid to hold talks with Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo.

The returning Julian Ward was also involved in this particular pursuit. Before joining Liverpool, he was South American Scouting Strategist for Manchester City.

He was involved in the deal to bring Mac Allister to Anfield due to his relationship with Juan Manuel Gemelli. He leveraged his relationships with those in that part of the world to get intel on Alvarez away from the pitch. He joined Hughes in Madrid to pitch to the player and his agent.

The Reds even held talks with Manchester City.

An agreement could not be found due to City’s insistence that any deal would include Luis Diaz heading to the Etihad, as well as a significant fee. Liverpool weren't against parting ways with their No7 but the deal had to work for them. It is believed the Merseyside club valued him at closer to the £60million mark while City viewed him as a £45million asset in this proposed deal.

In the end, Atletico Madrid swooped in and agreed to pay an initial £65million with a further £17million in add-ons.

Alvarez has been a revelation for Los Colchoneros this term. He has 20 goal involvements across LaLiga and the Champions League in close to 2,600 minutes. Liverpool’s interest remains, even though it will take a bid in excess of £100million to pry him away from Atletico after just one season.

Internally, he is viewed as someone who could be the perfect fit for Arne Slot. He’s a facilitator and a goalscorer. The work rate is there. He’s a grafter and he can play a variety of roles across the forward line. Liverpool might be able to include Darwin Nunez in the deal. Diego Simeone is a huge fan of the Uruguayan.

The Wanda Metropolitano could be the perfect environment for the Liverpool No9 to rediscover his Benfica form. The sticking point could well be internal valuations. During January, the Reds felt they could get £80million for the one-time Benfica man. The club will want to get as much as they can for the 25-year-old. Shortchanging themselves in a swap deal isn’t something Michael Edwards is going to agree to.

If it works for everyone, Alvarez could finally end up at Anfield, 12 months after it could’ve happened.

One things for sure, the Reds are looking to revamp their attack.

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Additional reporting by Bence Bocsak.