Liverpool transfer news: Alexander Isak latest as truth behind Viktor Gyokeres links revealed

Liverpool have turned their attention to signing a forward in the summer transfer window, with the expected departure of Darwin Nunez to Napoli paving the way for a new arrival

There are still 67 days left until the summer transfer window closes for business on September 1 and Liverpool appear to be ahead of the game.

The Reds have signed Bayer Leverkusen pair Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, and have sealed the capture of Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez. And they are far from done, with plenty more deals – both in and out – in the pipeline in the coming weeks and months.

Arne Slot has tasked sporting director Richard Hughes with finding a new striker and a central defender, with the planned departures of Darwin Nunez and Jarell Quansah leaving holes in his title-winning squad.

Thankfully, Liverpool have money in the bank following some reserved transfer windows in the recent past. Further sales are needed, though, and exits will be as frequent as arrivals in the coming days. Here Mirror Football takes a look over the latest comings and goings from Anfield.

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Isak latest

Like Arsenal and many other top European clubs, Liverpool are keen on Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who scored 27 goals last season to cement his status as one of the best in the business. The problem is that Isak is under contract with Newcastle until June 2028 and is valued at between £150million and £200million by his employers.

The Magpies are planning to offer the 25-year-old a new contract to further strengthen their hand and are willing to smash their existing wage structure to up his current £150,000-a-week deal. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that Liverpool are in a stronger position financially and – should they wish to – they could offer Isak better terms. It just remains to be seen whether the Reds opt to sign a centre-forward this summer, or bide their time, hope Isak doesn’t sign a new contract and then move at a later date.

Gyokeres to replace Nunez?

Piers Morgan has been left furious after seeing reports that Liverpool have joined Arsenal in the race for Viktor Gyokeres. The report in question, from Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha, says that Liverpool are now targeting Gyokeres as a potential replacement for Nunez, who has agreed to join Napoli.

The club are reportedly ready to discuss a fee for Gyokeres, with Sporting demanding €80m (£68.1m) to sell the goal machine. However, TNT Sports claims that Liverpool are not interested in Gyokeres – suggesting that the reports in Portugal are not true.

Manchester United have also been linked with the ex-Coventry City player, who is itching to leave Sporting and has fallen out with the club president. Liverpool have also looked at Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, with Sky Germany suggesting he is under serious consideration. Either move will have to wait until Nunez has been sold.

Guehi alternative

Liverpool want to sign a central defender this summer, with Quansah leaving for Bayer Leverkusen in a £35m deal – and they have reportedly identified Ajax defender Jorrel Hato as an alternative to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

The Reds have previously targeted Leny Yoro and Dean Huijsen, but they ultimately joined Manchester United and Real Madrid instead. Now it is 19-year-old Hato who is getting the scouts excited.

Despite his youth, Hato has already made more than 100 senior appearances for Ajax and is adept at playing at centre-back or left-back. What’s more, he has previously stated that he was told to model his game on Virgil ban Dijk’s during his time in Ajax’s academy.

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