Liverpool suffered a disastrous exit from the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League after PSG defeated them on penalties in the second leg at Anfield. The Reds are now planning for the next season, and the one that they want to improve upon is the attacking department. Arne Slot wants to buy a new striker, and as per Fichajes, they are targeting Alexander Isak in the summer transfer window.
The Reds are looking to spend €150 million to force Newcastle United to sell their Swedish striker. He has been in sensational form right from the time he signed for the Magpies and is currently one of the best strikers in the Premier League. New selection from Bonus.ca offers some serious incentives for Liverpool winning the league this season, so it only makes sense for Isak to look for the upgrade.
Liverpool want to sign Alexander Isak
Isak has scored 19 goals in 25 matches so far in the Premier League 2024/2025 season. Overall, his goals scored per 90 minutes are 0.83. Moreover, Isak’s total G/A (goals + assists) is 24 for this season.
His goal involvement equates to 1.05 per 90 minutes. His non-penalty xG per 90 minutes is 0.68. This puts Isak’s npxG output at 14.96. The stats clearly show that he has been in breathtaking form this season, and he has continued his form over the years for Newcastle United.
The Swedish striker is agile and has great movement off the ball to get past the defenders and fox them. He also possesses close ball control with good dribbling, which helps him get past the defenders with utmost ease. Moreover, he is a clinical finisher and a brilliant goal-poacher. This ability allows him to score from incredible angles. Isak’s pace helps him get behind the defensive line and his height gives him the edge in aerial duels. Therefore, the Swede is one of the best modern forwards and will be great while leading the line for the Reds.
The Reds do have a good star-studded attack but there is a problem with the performance of their striker, Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan has blown hot and cold and his prominence in the first team has gone down under the new manager, Arne Slot. Moreover, Mohamed Salah is also in the last few months of his contract and is yet to renew his contract with Liverpool. Therefore, he might leave the club for free in the summer. So, Liverpool need replacements in the attack and Isak will be one of the best that they can get in the summer transfer market.
The Reds’ desire is clearly reflected by the €150 million bid. They very well know that Newcastle United won’t be ready to let go of one of their most important players very easily. Moreover, the quality that Isak has and the performances that he has shown have definitely attracted a lot of elite clubs. Hence, the Merseyside club wants to get ahead of the competition by offering such a big amount to sign him. It remains to be seen if they can get his deal done in the summer.
The Reds want Jan Paul van Hecke as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk
The Reds also want to sign a centre-back given that their longtime leader Virgil van Dijk is in the last few months of his contract and might leave the club for free in the summer. Hence, they need to get a replacement ready for him in the summer. The Dutch centre-back has not yet accepted the new contract offers from the club and hence there is no clarity on his future at Anfield.
Danny Rust and Dean Jones, in their exclusive report from Give Me Sport, have stated that the Reds are scouting Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke. He is just 24 years old and is one of the promising centre-backs in the Premier League. Moreover, he has already played with van Dijk for the Netherlands.
He is consistent with his performances and has the ability to play from the back, being a ball-playing defender. This trait has attracted the attention of Arne Slot, who feels that he might be the right replacement for the senior Dutch centre-back. Moreover, he has two years remaining on his contract with Brighton & Hove Albion and hence would not reject a move to play for one of the best clubs in the world. Van Hecke will also get better wages and a chance of winning consistent trophies by taking the next big step in his career.
However, Liverpool do need to offer the right transfer fee in order to sign him and they definitely have the financial capabilities to do so. They will also face competition from the likes of Napoli for his signature. Jan Paul van Hecke has conceded 27 goals and kept 7 clean sheets in 25 matches in the Premier League 2024/2025 season. That means when van Hecke is on the pitch, his team concedes a goal every 80 minutes. These are definitely promising stats and he would be a welcome addition to the Liverpool team. It remains to be seen how the situation takes a turn.
