Liverpool must sign PERFECT Alexander Isak alternative

Alexander Isak is perhaps the hottest striker on the planet at present.

The 25-year-old has scored 13 goals in his last 10 Premier League games as Newcastle surge towards the Champions League spots.

READ MORE: Club boss confirms he is ready to sell star player to Liverpool

His form has been irresistible, leading to speculation that he could be targeted for a transfer by Liverpool or Arsenal. Both teams have a pressing need for a striker and while no deal is likely for the winter it could prove to be a decisive summer for Isak in 2025.

The latest reports indicate that the Magpies are planning to ward off suitors by offering the Sweden international a new contract. He signed a six-year deal when signing from Real Sociedad for £63 million back in 2022 but Newcastle will seek to put his price out of anyone’s range by extending those terms.

Previous reports indicated that Isak was valued at £150m by the North East side - surely a sum neither Liverpool nor Arsenal could get near.

Throw in another two or three years of a contract duration - plus a hefty pay bump - and Isak becomes literally priceless.

Newcastle are not under the same kind of pressure to sell that they were back in summer when Liverpool looked at Anthony Gordon but if they do miss Champions League football then Isak might want to consider his options.

The Europa League - or the Conference League - is no place for a man of Isak’s talents. However, if Newcastle manage to price him out of a move then potentially interested teams will have to look elsewhere for a front man.

Liverpool should revisit Ekitike interest

And if that comes to pass then Liverpool’s decision-makers could do worse than revisit an old target.

Hugo Ekitike was a 19-year-old prospect at Reims back in 2022 when the Reds and the rest of the so-called ‘Big Six’ in the Premier League all had a look at him. The Frenchman however ended up at Paris Saint-Germain instead - initially on loan - before securing a permanent deal for around £30m.

It didn’t work out with Ekitike struggling for impact around Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. He moved to Eintracht Frankfurt last winter in a bid to realign his career - initially on loan. The Bundesliga side then pulled off a significant transfer coup by signing him permanently for only £15m last summer.

Ekitike has scored 11 goals and posted three assists in 18 Bundesliga games this season and as the graphic below indicates has a very similar output to that of Isak.

How much would Ekitike cost?

Overall he’s got 16 goals and six assists in only 28 matches this term - including four goals in his last three league games.

A centre-forward capable of drifting to the flanks to weave Thierry Henry-like magic, the 22-year-old dovetailed beautifully with Omar Marmoush over the opening half of the season.

Frankfurt has become a striker factory in recent seasons with the likes of Andre Silva, Luka Jovic, Randal Kolo Muani and Marmoush banking the club a fortune after being sold for huge profits. Maybe Ekitike will be the next in line to go.

He’s got a contract with Dino Toppmuller’s side until 2029 but Frankfurt have repeatedly shown that they are not shy about selling their top talents for top dollar.

But even if Ekitike goes for the same money as Marmoush, that would be STILL less than half of what Newcastle are reportedly asking for Isak.

With Darwin Nunez failing to bed in - and subject to transfer rumours from Saudi Arabia - this could be an ideal opportunity for FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes to upgrade.

Ekitike is flourishing, delivering on the potential that marked him out as one of the most coveted young players in the game just a few years ago. Now is the time to strike.

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