Liverpool may need to follow Van Dijk example to secure $203M primary target

Liverpool’s capture of Florian Wirtz leads to an inevitable question in the transfer market: where next? While Wirtz’s £100 million ($136M) deal plus add-ons isn’t confirmed yet, it’s now only a matter of time after the Reds agreed terms with Bayer Leverkusen. After his medical is complete and contract signed, the 22-year-old will be unveiled as a Liverpool player. Milos Kerkez could follow Wirtz in joining the Reds. His signature is expected as Slot reshapes the side he inherited from Jurgen Klopp into a more dynamic, free-flowing team. Then? Well, for now, that remains uncertain. In all likelihood, departures will be prioritized next after an expensive outlay at the start of the window. Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah could all be sold to free up further funds for arrivals. Many see a new striker as the next piece of the puzzle for Slot, especially after Nunez and Diogo Jota’s underwhelming campaigns. Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekiti ke have been mentioned as possible additions, although Alexander Isak remains the primary target, even if transfer guru David Ornstein claimed earlier this year that a deal “isn’t even a conversation” if Newcastle United qualify for the Champions League. Isak may not be available this summer. (Image: Getty Images) Chief executive Darren Eales has previously said the club would be “crazy” to allow the Swedish forward to depart. One option is that the Reds repeat the Virgil van Dijk approach of 2018 and, rather than look for an alternative, wait until the ideal candidate becomes available next summer. It comes as talkSPORT states Liverpool’s interest in Isak has “not softened”, despitebeing unavailable, with Newcastle demanding around £150 million ($203M) for his services. If that is the case and Liverpool holds out for 12 more months, it would reportedly be best placed to sign Isak despite interest from elsewhere. Liverpool had to wait to complete the signing of Van Dijk in 2018. “Liverpool still see him [Iask] as their dream signing and there’s a reason that Liverpool aren’t really going overboard in the striker [market],” transfer report Graeme Bailey told TBR Football earlier this month. “Isak is the dream and I think because Liverpool is confident, that’s where Arsenal’s interest is waning slightly. “If Isak leaves, Liverpool are in pole position and I think Arsenal learned that and that’s why they backed off slightly.” Isak has scored 52 goals over the last two seasons, including three against Liverpool. He netted in March’s Carabao Cup victory over the Reds, as Newcastle lifted a first major trophy in 70 years.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.