REDS KRAP DIEP IN ISAK

LIVERPOOL are considering a blockbuster £120 million (R2.9 billion) bid for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak despite the Magpies’ desire to hold onto the Sweden star, according to reports.

The Premier League champions are yet to make a formal offer for Isak, but he is believed to be high on their wanted list as baas Arne Slot looks for a new forward in the wake of Diogo Jota’s death.

Isak joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad for £63m in 2022, emerging as a jitz player for Eddie Howe’s span.

He scored 23 Premier League goals last season to fire the club into the Champions League for the second time in three years.

Isak also scored in Newcastle’s League Cup final victory over Liverpool at Wembley, which ended the Magpies’ 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

The 25-year-old, who is currently at a pre-season training camp in Austria, still has three years remaining on his contract and Newcastle are understood to be trying to tie him to a new deal.

They have reportedly put a value of around £150m on Isak in an attempt to ward off potential suitors, with Arsenal also reportedly contemplating an offer.

Newcastle’s majority owners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, have the financial muscle to resist any approach for a player who is said not to be agitating for a move.

Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa have also been linked with moves away from Anfield, which would increase their need to bring in a new striker.

Liverpool have been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt’s £70m-rated forward Hugo Ekitike, who has also attracted attention from Newcastle.

The Reds have also considered Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. Interestingly, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford was briefly discussed, though no progress was made due to doubts about his form.