Transfer rumors, news: Liverpool eyeing Isak-Núñez swap deal

Liverpool are exploring the possibility of a swap deal for Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, as Barcelona prepare a summer bid for Reds winger Luis Díaz. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

- Liverpool could try to offer Darwin Núñez to Newcastle United in a part exchange for Alexander Isak this summer, Football Insider reports. Reds boss Arne Slot is "not convinced" by either Núñez or Diogo Jota, which might tempt the club into launching a big-money bid for a new striker. Isak would be the obvious choice for many Liverpool fans, having scored 17 goals in 23 Premier League games this season. But the Sweden international is under contract at St James' Park until 2028, meaning any interested party will need to spend over £100m if they wish to sign him.

- All roads lead to Barcelona signing Liverpool winger Luis Díaz when the transfer window reopens, reports Sport. The 28-year-old Colombia international has been a long-term target for the Catalan giants and they are set to be in the market for a new winger this summer, with AC Milan's Rafael Leão also on their shortlist. But the Portugal forward's transfer valuation of £150m could see them pursue Díaz instead, as his Liverpool contract expires in June 2027.

- Chelsea might let Cole Palmer leave the club in the summer if they can't secure UEFA Champions League football next season, TEAMtalk reports. The Blues are currently sixth in the Premier League, having most recently been beaten 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion. According to the report, Palmer has a clause in his Chelsea contract which will force the club to consider offers for him from rivals should they fail to finish in the top five.

- Chelsea, Liverpool, and Newcastle United are leading the race to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, iNews has reported. The 19-year-old, who moved to the south coast of England last year from Juventus, could be available for £50m this summer owing to a release clause in his contract. While Bournemouth rebuffed interest from rival Premier League clubs in January, the feeling is that they will struggle to do so at the end of the season. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be monitoring Huijsen's development.

- Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool are keeping tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké, according to Footmercato. Ekitiké has scored 17 goals in 32 games in all competitions this season and Frankfurt are looking for a similar fee to the €80m which saw Omar Marmoush leave for Manchester City last month. The France international has a contract until 2029 and almost moved to Newcastle during his time at Stade Reims, but opted for an ill-fated spell at PSG instead.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN correspondent Beth Lindop looks at how Liverpool could get creative to land Alexander Isak.

How do you solve a problem like Núñez? It's a question Liverpool fans have been pondering since the Uruguay international joined the club from Benfica for an initial €75m in the summer of 2022.

This season has always felt like a make-or-break campaign after he failed to hit the heights in his first two seasons at Anfield. So far, he has managed just four league goals in 20 appearances (seven as a starter) and, despite having endeared himself to supporters with his impressive work rate, it would not be a surprise if manager Arne Slot were to go into the market for a new No.9 in the summer.

Isak is sure to be high on the list of many of Europe's top clubs but it remains to be seen whether Newcastle would sanction his departure, or whether they would want to replace their talisman with a player as unpredictable as Núñez.

As far as Luis Diaz is concerned, reports linking the Colombia international to Barcelona are nothing new. Diaz has had an impressive season so far, though would likely be allowed to depart for the right fee. Still, it's no secret that Barcelona's financial situation is a complicated one and, even with two years left on his contract, Diaz wouldn't come cheap.

OTHER RUMORS

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Marcotti slams Theo Hernández after AC Milan's UCL exit

Gab Marcotti slams Theo Hernández after he was sent off in AC Milan's draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League.

- Real Madrid youngsters Endrick and Arda Guler have decided they want to leave the club this summer after being made to feel "invisible" by manager Carlo Ancelotti. (Sport)

- Chelsea and Manchester United are ready to make a £40m move to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, who came through Manchester City's academy. (iNews)

- United are also keen on FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa (formerly known as Samu Omorodion) after his move from Atletico Madrid to Chelsea collapsed last year. (GMS)

- Having rejected a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia last month, Brighton would let winger Kaoru Mitoma leave in the summer for around £66m and Chelsea are monitoring the situation. (Caught Offside)

- Borussia Dortmund midfielder Giovanni Reyna is of interest to several Brazilian clubs and could be allowed to leave Signal Iduna Park. (Ekrem Konur)

- AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, 26, has been attracting interest from the Premier League but will sign a new deal until 2030. (Fabrizio Romano)

- Sporting CP wing-back Geovany Quenda, 17, is keen on a move to Manchester United and the clubs are negotiating a €40m fee. (Ben Jacobs)

- Serie A club Como are negotiating with Real Madrid to remove the clause in Nico Paz's contract which would allow him to be re-signed for €40m. Paz, 20, has attracted the attention of several clubs, including Inter Milan and Arsenal, following his impressive form this season. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

- Houston Dynamo are finalizing a deal to sign midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro on a free transfer. The 35-year-old, who has 60 caps for Uruguay to his name, officially agreed to a mutual contract termination with Orlando City earlier this week. (Tom Bogert)

- Cruzeiro have received an €18m offer from Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg to sign midfielder Matheus Pereira. (ESPN Brasil)