Fabrizio Romano says that Liverpool are closing in on their next major piece of summer transfer business in a window that might yet see them sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
The Reds have already spent more than €306 million on the transfer market but they are aiming to crown their summer by snapping up arguably the Premier League’s most exciting centre-forward in the form of the 25-year-old Sweden star.
If Isak is to move to Anfield, Liverpool first half to sell Darwin Nunez – and Romano has revealed that they are close to doing just that.
“Al Hilal are close to getting Darwin Nunez deal done after verbal agreement in place with Liverpool,” Romano reported on X.
“Club-to-club agreement is done, while Al Hilal are in talks with Darwin over personal terms.
“Decision up to Nunez but talks underway, Simone Inzaghi wants him.”
It is unclear at present what sort of fee Liverpool will earn for the former Benfica striker, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €51.4m.
Controversial deal coming close to reality
If Nunez’s move to Saudi Arabia were to spark a domino effect that ended with Isak winding at Liverpool next season, it would prove a hugely controversial deal in Newcastle.
The Uruguay international, who scored 40 goals in 143 games for the Premier League champions, would effectively be funding the Reds’ move for the Swede.
Crucially, both Al-Hilal and Newcastle are owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF). So this deal is likely to be seen, around St James’ Park at least, as the Saudi’s funding Liverpool to sign the Magpies’ best player.
Isak would represent a sizeable upgrade on Nunez for Arne Slot’s side, who have already signed the likes of Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz in what has been a spectacular summer transfer window.
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