5 players Liverpool could offer to land Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak is set to become the big mover in the summer transfer window. The Newcastle forward has scored 17 goals in 23 Premier League games this season as the Magpies aim for a return to the Champions League.

Transfer noise has grown around the Sweden international in recent weeks with it being suggested that Newcastle were prepared to listen to offers of £150 million for their star attraction.

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Isak, 25, is under contract until 2028 at St. James’ Park so such a sky-high valuation isn’t out of line. It’s emerged in Football Insider that Liverpool see Isak as their “perfect” forward and are even prepared to add Darwin Nunez to the equation in order to sweeten the deal next summer.

The Uruguayan almost left the club in January and the countdown could well be on for his Liverpool career. But Nunez isn’t the only expendable player Liverpool have got in their squad.

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There are several stars facing uncertain futures and who could be used as bait to lure Newcastle into selling Isak. Here we look at Nunez and four other contenders who could be offered to Newcastle in part-exchange for their star striker.

Harvey Elliott

Newcastle have a long-standing issue on the right side of their attack although Jacob Murphy has been filling in well this season. Elliott, under contract until 2027 at Anfield, could be the kind of player Eddie Howe finds a place for.

A versatile performer, the 21-year-old can also feature at attacking midfield. It’s been a season to forget so far for the England under-21 international, who has not started one Premier League game and barely amassed 500 minutes throughout all competitions.

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He has been linked with Borussia Dortmund and Bournemouth, and could be sacrificed to generate transfer funds next summer.

Jarell Quansah

Had Liverpool not decided differently then Quansah could already be lining up for Newcastle. The Reds opted against a transfer for Anthony Gordon last summer when the Magpies insisted on including Quansah in the deal.

He remained at Anfield however and signed a new contract. But this season hasn’t been a good one for Quansah, who hasn’t won over Arne Slot, and he has been shunted back to the bench.

The 22-year-old doesn’t quite look like the sure thing he did a year ago and could end up leaving Anfield. Newcastle’s injury issues at centre-back mean they still have a requirement for players in that position.

Joe Gomez

Another Liverpool player facing an immediate threat to his future is Joe Gomez. The only man to see every day of the Jurgen Klopp reign, Gomez remains well down the pecking order under Slot and is currently sidelined with a serious injury.

It looks like his Liverpool days are numbered and is another that Newcastle considered signing last summer. The 27-year-old can take care of multiple positions and could be a valuable squad member for Howe next season if he departs Merseyside.

Caoimhin Kelleher

Liverpool’s goalkeeping department is set for a shakeup next summer. Giorgi Mamardashvili is coming in from Valencia and has made it known he does not intend to be a No2.

That move could see both Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher moving on.

The Irishman is determined to become a first-choice in his own right and it’s apparent that it won’t happen under Slot at Anfield. He was available for transfer last summer but no team met Liverpool’s asking price.

Chelsea and Newcastle are among the teams linked this time around, with the goalkeeper embellishing his reputation this season with fine performances in the absence of Alisson.

Again, goalkeeper has been a problem position for Newcastle this season and he could be the solution to their issues long-term.

Darwin Nunez

The enigmatic striker is coming to the end of his third season at Anfield with fans still waiting for him to turn out some consistent performances.

A scorer of only FOUR Premier League goals this season - with two coming in the game against Brentford recently - Darwin’s time would appear to be up.

Liverpool ultimately declined to sell him to Al Nassr or Al Hilal in January but that doesn’t mean he isn’t available.

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With an asking price of £75m reported in the January transfer window, it is Nunez who could account for the biggest chunk of Isak’s sizeable fee. And he could take care of an immediate problem for the Magpies, who will need a new starting striker if Isak goes.

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