Liverpool 'set to open talks' for £86m superstar and it isn't Alexander Isak

Liverpool saw their £120 million approach for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak knocked back this week and may already have found a perfect alternative.

Arne Slot's Premier League champions are in the market for a superstar forward after adding Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz to their ranks this summer for £116 million. On Tuesday, widespread reports emerged to claim that Liverpool had approached Newcastle over striker Isak.

Newcastle promptly rejected the proposal and told Liverpool their striker is not for sale. Reports then suggested Liverpool would rival Newcastle for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, who could cost around £85m. And Spanish media now believe Liverpool could turn their attention to Real Madrid for an Isak alternative.

Liverpool want to sign Alexander Isak but may be forced to look elsewhere. (Image: Getty)

According to AS, Liverpool are looking for a defender, striker and left winger to follow Wirtz through the door at Anfield to strengthen Slot's title defence. If Ekitike fills the brief as a striker, the Spanish outlet suggest Brazilian international Rodrygo is the left-sided forward they want to sign.

They claim Liverpool have joined Arsenal and Chelsea in having an interest in Rodrygo and will send officials to Madrid in the coming days or weeks to begin talks over a deal that could cost almost €100m (£86m).

The report also says that Liverpool will fund the transfer by selling Luis Diaz, already the subject of a rejected bid by Bayern Munich. To complicate matters, however, AS also claim that Bayern are eyeing Rodrygo as a back-up option themselves if they cannot persuade Liverpool to part with Diaz for the right price - and that their budget for Rodrygo would be higher than their valuation of Diaz. Bayern had wanted to sign Wirtz for a similar €100 million fee but were ultimately outbid by Liverpool.

Rodrygo is reportedly set for talks with Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso as he faces interest from Liverpool. (Image: Getty)

And despite the speculation, Rodrygo himself is said to be prioritising his Real Madrid career under new manager Xabi Alonso. Talks between Rodrygo's camp and Alonso are planned after their Club World Cup exit amid the arrival of new competition on the flanks in the form of summer signing Franco Mastantuono and Endrick's conversion to a right-winger.

AS finish by saying Rodrygo wouldn't object to a sale and wants to define his own future, with a Premier League move appealing to him if his Madrid career is to end.