09 Jun 2025 10:03:09
As for the striker situation: I reported previously that Julian Alvarez and Isak were the primary targets. Alvarez was seen as the more achievable so the club were pushing for a deal there, but unfortunately Alvarez has decided to stay in Madrid this summer, so a deal is no longer seen as likely there. However, the Isak deal is surprisingly positive. Isak has made it clear to Newcastle that if Liverpool (or Arsenal) do end up putting in a sizeable bid for him, he would like the club's blessing to take that next step in his career. Isak is not expected to kick up a fuss and hand in a transfer request due to his character and his respect for the club, but there is optimism that if Liverpool put up the right money, the deal could be done for about £130 million. Any such deal would depend on Liverpool moving on Darwin Nunez and raising a significant fee from other player sales, and these sales would need to happen first. It also depends on Newcastle securing a replacement.
There is every possibility that the club is unable to raise the funds required, in which case Isak would not be attainable this summer. In such a case, it is very likely that we see the club go for a stop-gap signing for a year or two, with a view to signing one of the primary targets (Isak or Alvarez) next year, or hoping that the striker market improves with the emergence of new young talent.
The club are in talks with Inter for Lautaro Martinez as second choice, but he is not seen as the long-term solution, and would represent this stop-gap approach, to try and maximise the club's chance of success in the next year or two with Salah and Virgil, before pivoting to a younger striker for the future.
This is from speaking to an analyst at the club, who effectively told me "the current striker market is sh*t"
Liverpool are reluctant to spend big on an unproven / project striker (a la Sesko or Ekitike) and so if they cannot secure Isak, they will try for a better value stop gap like Martinez or Ollie Watkins, who would command a lower fee than a Sesko or Ekitke, but would provide a near-guaranteed source of goals for the next season.
In the case of a stop-gap, and if Isak stays at Newcastle this summer, it would be extremely likely that Liverpool would move for him next summer.
In terms of player outgoings, Nunez is of interest to Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and Napoli. All clubs are reluctant to pay a big fee, and would prefer a loan-to-buy option, which would not be Liverpool's preference. I expect a deal to be done regardless, and Darwin Nunez WILL still leave the club this summer, despite reports to the contrary in recent days that he could be given another season.
Meetings in Milan over the weekend were very positive, and I would say it is likely that Federico Chiesa moves to AC Milan this summer. Several clubs in Italy are interested but wanted loan-to-buy options, but Milan would be the most likely to pay a fee this summer with a significant amount incoming from player sales.
09 Jun 2025 10:20:09
Interesting take, RedNotice97.
I wonder what Lautaro Martinez would cost Liverpool?
09 Jun 2025 10:37:24
There's lot's of scary figures flying around - like €100m+ for relatively unproven strikers.
I have no idea what Martinez would cost, but factors in our favour include the fact that Inter are in a bit of bother, and they may be interested in some of the players we are looking to move on. Both of which could lower the fee to a more reasonable level.
At a guess? c€60-€70m.
However, if, as was posted on here by (I think) Thefields on Thurs/ Fri and then posted on clickbait sites in the last 24 hours, there are clubs going to the CWC who want players like Darwin, Diaz or Jota, then we could raise enough through sales to go for Isak, which would be fanstastic!
09 Jun 2025 10:47:36
Watkins will do a job if we do end up settling for him for 1 or 2 seasons, I'd be quite happy to get him if Isak and Alvarez are unavailable. Can see him getting 15+ goals
Martinez links are interesting but no idea what the fee will be.
09 Jun 2025 10:49:25
Ffs can we just drop the Alvarez signing, he left city to go to Spain as his wife was unhappy, he’s not coming back to the uk, just wipe him off the list as it’s getting like the mbappe rumours a few years ago.
09 Jun 2025 11:02:24
If we can get Martinez for 50-60m, taking advantage of the fact that inter need to sell to rejuvenate an ol.
09 Jun 2025 11:05:28
How is the above post NOT dropping Alvarez, Fatwallet? The OP literally said “ Alvarez was seen as the more achievable so the club were pushing for a deal there, but unfortunately Alvarez has decided to stay in Madrid this summer, so a deal is no longer seen as likely there. ”
Stating that Alvarez was high on our list is hardly saying we’re still likely to buy him this summer.
09 Jun 2025 11:05:49
If we can get Martinez for 50-60m, taking advantage of the fact that inter need to sell to rejuvenate an ageing squad and balance the books, that would represent superb business from the transfer team. Watkins might also be cheap given villa need to do the same, but despite the fact that he works very very hard and his movement is good, his finishing is really not much better than nunez. That being said I think the 9 we buy isn't expected to be the main source of goals but to contribute to the fluidity of the attack.
At a pinch I would go for lautaro because he is the more skilful and adaptable player, he can drop deep or go wide, he works as hard as anybody as well.
09 Jun 2025 11:36:11
Bringing in a striker for 2/ 3 years is a good idea as long as there’s a plan for a younger lad to come through as in maybe buy now and loan out or bring through the youth system Watkins or Martinez would be very good buys.
09 Jun 2025 11:57:46
Stop gaps rarely work out, but if it’s a choice between Martinez and Watkins, it should be Martinez and it’s not even close. Better all round footballer, Watkins is distinctly mediocre and the idea of paying Villa big money for another Benteke/ Downing just fills me with dread. I’d rather we stuck with Nunez and actually gave him a chance than waste money on Watkins.
09 Jun 2025 12:07:00
Martinez with a five yr contract brings him to Salahs age. He is so underrated, been in umpteen finals and a world cup winner ? to boot. Works is socks off, scores in side and outside the box and holds the ball up as good as anybody The nickname little bull tells it all. I would love him at the club. Good mates with Macca too.
09 Jun 2025 12:24:05
Martinez is leagues ahead of Flopkins, and will likely cost a lot more. Italians are notoriously hard negotiators and will not be letting go of the crown jewels on the cheap.
09 Jun 2025 12:55:35
Tbh Alvarez was never feasible. He left the UK as his wife couldn't stand it, especially the north of the UK. He's now in Madrid! Can't understand who actually thought he or his wife would suddenly want a return. It's been nonsense from the start.
09 Jun 2025 13:04:15
Logically Martinez would be the best bet. Isak is fantastic but is going to cost a small fortune, he also won't put in a transfer request. No idea on the cost of Martinez? But it's a deal that likely could be done, he's at a great age and brings plenty of experience. Plus we need a CF that's proven.
09 Jun 2025 13:20:49
Vango, inter need to sell, so your generalisation about Italians might not really apply here (plus inter are run by frugal Chinese ownership) .
The rumour is that they are in financial trouble and even if they weren't their team is getting old and desperately needs a refresh. Which players can they sell that can generate money? Barella and bastoni are by far their most important players so they would probably want to hold on to them unless they push for a move. Dumfries can be sold but he is probably their third most important player (at least under inzaghi) and is also getting a bit older so might not generate as much money.
That leaves thuram, bisseck, Augusto and lautaro. Bisseck is a part of their future, Augusto is necessary to succeed dimarco, thuram is their long term striker.
Inter were hesitant to give lautaro the contract he wanted and he flirted with the idea of leaving if he didn't get it last year. He is their captain but getting him and his wages off the books will really help them financially. So I think all things considered it is a very very very plausible deal that will satisfy all parties IF lautaro is open to moving. He loves inter for being a deeply crazy and passionate club that triumphs in the face of insurmountable odds, he would love us just as much.
09 Jun 2025 14:13:43
PB, all makes sense but why would Inter prioritise Thuram over Martinez? Martinez has been there for many, many years and he and Thuram are exactly the same age (almost to the day! ), in fact Martinez is a couple of weeks younger than Thuram.
Don't get me wrong, if we can't get Isak or Alvarez I really, really like the idea of Martinez from his character and fight to his goalscoring record. But I can't see much difference between Thuram and Martinez, unless Martinez wants to leave (as another poster has said)?
09 Jun 2025 14:14:02
Dont think Martinez is leagues ahead of Watkins, if anything Watkins is the safer bet with him knowing the league.
09 Jun 2025 14:30:35
My guess is because Martinez is a bigger name and reputation internationally, has done it for longer, and is earning quite a lot more money. The combination of age, saleability and size of his contract (lautaro makes twice as much as thuram and inter were considering the idea of not renewing his contract last year) would point to lautaro being the more likely to leave.
09 Jun 2025 16:08:25
Didn't Villa turn down a £70m bid for Watkins in January?
09 Jun 2025 16:41:16
Did you really say Isak would be interested in joining Arsenal?
09 Jun 2025 17:08:58
Have you not seen Alvarez when he drops deep unbelievable vision dribbling passing creativity and obviously exceptional finishing. It would have been a dream to have him at Liverpool but I suppose getting Lautaro isn’t a bad fall back hopefully.