Darwin Nunez has dropped down the pecking order at Liverpool and the club could yet find themselves changing things up in attack during the summer transfer window
Newcastle United have quickly dismissed a player-plus-cash deal involving Alexander Isak and Darwin Nunez, it has been claimed.
Uruguay striker Nunez has struggled to assert himself since making a big-money move to Liverpool in 2022 and was linked with a January exit. That didn’t materialise, but he could still be on the move come the summer
Swedish international striker Isak could also be playing elsewhere next term, but for different reasons. He has top-scored for the Magpies this season with 19 Premier League goals – only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland have more for any club – with a number of clubs linked with a summer swoop
Arsenal have long been fans of Isak, but Liverpool appear to have attempted to steal a march on their rivals. They may have to try harder if they’re to get a deal over the line, though
According to Chronicle Live, Liverpool’s approach has been rejected out of hand by Newcastle. The outlet doesn’t specify exacly how much money was being offered in addition to Nunez, but Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has consistently argued he has no plans to let Isak leave St James’ Park.
“Alex’s got a long contract anyway and we have to be really careful regarding our spending due to PSR,” Howe said in October.. “We love him and are desperate for him to stay at Newcastle for many years and score loads and loads of goals for us, but I don’t see a short-term issue with his contract.”
He continued: “Absolutely, there will be ongoing talks, but Alex can only help his situation by playing well. He is an outstanding talent, really good with the ball, really intelligent and a deadly goalscorer when he is at his absolute best.”
When Howe made those comments, Isak had scored just once in six Premier League outings. He has been prolific since, though, with a highlight coming around the turn of the year when he scored in eight straight Premier League outings.
The 25-year-old also scored in Carabao Cup victories over Chelsea and Arsenal to help Newcastle reach the final. He will hope to be fit for the meeting with Liverpool on on March 16, having been taken off during Sunday’s FA Cup defeat against Brighton
Newcastle lost in extra-time against Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls, with winger Anthony Gordon shown a straight red card following a clash with Jan Paul van Hecke. The England international is set to face a three-match ban which would keep him out of the Carabao Cup final, but the club are planning an appeal.