LIV transfer news: 'Sad' Isak verdict as forgotten star offered escape route

Liverpool have placed Alexander Isak at the top of their next transfer wishlist despite already spending nearly £300m this summer following the arrival of Hugo Ekitike from Frankfurt for £79m

Liverpool are showing no signs of slowing down in the transfer market as they aim to get Alexander Isak's mega transfer over the line.

The Swedish hitman is a major target for the Reds despite already splashing out nearly £300million on transfers this summer, with the arrival of Hugo Ekitike for £79m adding yet another high profile arrival and showing the club mean business this season.

Isak could cost Liverpool around £150m and the striker has reportedly stated his desire to move to Anfield - with the departure of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for £65.5m freeing up more funds for Arne Slot to spend.

But the Dutchman may have to also rubber stamp the exits of more unwanted stars at Anfield before he can press on with any incomings. Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa are just two players who have been linked with exits.

Mirror Football has rounded up some of the biggest Liverpool transfer news and rumours.

Owen on Newcastle

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool have enough financial muscle left to complete an ambitious swoop for Newcastle star Alexander Isak, given that the Swedish star would cost at least £150m.

Isak still has three years left on his contract at St James' Park and Newcastle are in no rush to sell him, but their hand could be forced after the player told the club he wanted to explore his options.

Newcastle have Champions League football to offer Isak but it appears his head has been turned.

Owen, who played for both clubs, said he sympathised with Newcastle potentially losing a player of Isak's calibre but insisted money would not be the driving force behind the move.

"If any decent player becomes available, the big boys come and eventually they move," he told talkSport.

"It's sad because you want competition in football, but you put yourself in a player's point of view. If you didn't have ambition, then football would be nothing. You've got one short career trying to win as much as you can, trying to get to the best team.

"That's what drives everybody. People will say it's money, it's not. Most footballers just want to be in the best teams, in the best competitions and winning trophies. Unfortunately, this scenario will never, ever change."

Diaz pays tribute to Liverpool

Some Liverpool fans will be gutted to lose a top player like Luis Diaz, especially after he showed his value to the team since his arrival in 2022, scoring 41 times across four seasons.

He'll now be plying his trade for Bayern Munich after sealing a big £65.5m move to Germany but he'll have fond memories of winning three domestic cups under Jurgen Klopp and the Premier League title under Arne Slot last season.

The Colombian made sure he let Reds supporters know how much he "treasured" his time at Anfield with a moving post paying tribute to the club.

"Three years and a half that I’ll treasure forever," he wrote on social media. "I arrived with all the dreams in the world, and I am leaving proud of everything we achieved together. I have met incredible people, fabulous colleagues, coaches who helped me a lot, and extraordinary fans.

"Liverpool is, indeed, a special team, and I will keep everyone in my heart. The cycle ends here, and it is so gratifying to look back and realise how happy we were. Not only because of the trophies we won, but for the union and friendship that made it all possible. There were ups and downs, as there always are, but there was always truth. As it should be in a family.

"It’s good to be leaving with the feeling of a duty fulfilled, and, most of all, to be leaving a champion. It would have been the perfect goodbye if we hadn’t lost one of ours in such a tragic way. As I said, and I repeat, I carry everyone with me in my heart, but one of them in particular: Diogo. I will never forget him. We will never forget him. Thank you for everything."

Juventus

Federico Chiesa is being strongly tipped to leave Liverpool after being left out of the club's travelling group to Asia for pre-season, though it has emerged it's because he is being assessed over a minor medical issue.

Even still, the Italian must be getting increasingly frustrated at his repeated fitness setbacks and might fancy a change of scenery after a difficult first year at Liverpool that saw him start only four games in all competitions last season.

Fellow Italian Luca Toni - a former star of Bayern Munich and Juventus - has urged the Turin outfit to bring Chiesa back to the club on loan.

It's been less than a year since Liverpool signed the winger from Juventus for around £12m but Toni feel the player has a lot left to give.

“If I were Juventus, I'd bring Chiesa back on loan,” he told La Gazetto della Sport. “He's out of the Liverpool project, so I'd bet on his desire to redeem himself."

Chiesa was forced out of Juventus last summer after being told by new boss Thiago Motta that he had no future at the club, with the Italian telling him to find a new club.