Liverpool have reportedly cooled their interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Premier League champions are now focusing on alternative attacking options, particularly Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyökeres, who is also being monitored by Manchester United and Arsenal, along with two other striker targets.
Liverpool’s initial pursuit of Isak has stalled as they reconsider their transfer plans for the 2025/26 season. This shift comes after an expensive summer window that saw the club spend £185.5 million on Florian Wirtz (£116m), Milos Kerkez (£40m), and Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m). Newcastle’s steep valuation of Isak—between £150 million and £200 million—has pushed Liverpool to look for more affordable options.
Isak, 25, had been a key target thanks to his outstanding 2024/25 season, where he registered 27 goals and 6 assists across 42 games, including 23 goals in the Premier League. His impressive numbers in dribbles (87) and key passes (56) made him an excellent fit for Arne Slot’s dynamic system. Rumors suggested that Isak was open to a Liverpool move, especially to play alongside stars like Mohamed Salah and Wirtz, and had even delayed signing a new contract with Newcastle, which runs until 2028. However, Newcastle’s firm stance and their rejection of a £61 million offer from an unnamed club have caused Liverpool to withdraw from negotiations.
The Reds are now prioritizing Gyökeres, a 26-year-old Swedish striker who had an extraordinary season at Sporting, scoring 43 goals and providing 15 assists in 50 appearances. Valued between £70 million and £80 million, Gyökeres represents a far more financially reasonable option than Isak. Liverpool are also considering Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, with Ekitike reportedly moving up their shortlist following recent discussions.
Liverpool’s urgent search for a new striker is partly driven by potential exits, with Darwin Núñez linked to Napoli and Federico Chiesa rumored to be leaving as well. The decision to move away from Isak underlines a more practical transfer strategy, particularly after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35 million. Fans are divided—some regret missing out on Isak’s proven Premier League quality, while others believe Gyökeres could be a smart, high-upside addition. As Liverpool prepare to defend their Premier League title and compete in the Champions League, the club’s next move in the striker market will be crucial to sustaining their attacking firepower
