Liverpool have reportedly floated the idea of pursuing a deal for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford this summer.

The Mail claims the England forward is among a shortlist of six forwards drawn up by the Anfield hierarchy.

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Alexander Isak remains Liverpool’s dream target, and talkSPORT understands the Reds have indicated they would be prepared to make a British record £120million offer if offered any encouragement.

Newcastle, who have no plans to cash in on their star striker this summer, are believed to value the Swede at £150m.

talkSPORT understands Liverpool’s approach to the Magpies is not anything formal.

Reports have now claimed that the Merseysiders have also asked about Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, Victor Osimhen from Napoli, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

Completing the surprise line-up is Man United misfit Rashford, who has no future at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.

The unlikely transfer would be the first direct deal from the Red Devils to Liverpool for 61 years.

Phil Chisnall’s £25,000 switch to Anfield in 1964 remains the last time a player transferred directly between the two arch-rivals.

Like Rashford, Mancunian Chisnall was a product of United’s youth academy and enjoyed a three-year spell in their senior side after his debut in 1961.

He scored 10 goals in 47 games and got a call-up to the England U23s squad in November 1963, managed by Sir Alf Ramsey at the time.

A starring role in a 4-2 win over Germany at Anfield put him on Liverpool’s radar just as he fell out of favour at United.

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The managerial icons in charge of the two teams, Sir Matt Busby and Bill Shankly, were close friends, and a deal was put together.

“I’ve become the answer to a quiz question in recent years,” Chisnall told the Liverpool Echo in 2007.

“It was unusual to go from United to Liverpool back then, but there wasn’t a big deal made of it.

“Liverpool had only been in the First Division for two years before they won the league in 1964.

“They were only just establishing themselves in the top division and the rivalry between United and Liverpool fans wasn’t as strong then as it is now. Liverpool’s real rivals were Everton, while United’s were Man City.

“I played for England Under-23s against Germany at Anfield and we won 4-2. I’m not sure whether Shankly was there, but it was just before Liverpool came in for me.

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“United finished second in ‘64 and I remember Matt Busby told me Liverpool had made a bid and that it was up to me whether I wanted to go or not.

“I was 21, Liverpool had won the league and were a great club. Liverpool was a vibrant place with the Beatles making it big and Shankly reviving Liverpool FC, so I decided to go for it.

“After I signed I went back and played for Liverpool against United at Old Trafford. I can’t remember getting any stick – it wasn’t like that back then.”

He added, as per the Athletic: “The only person who was bothered was the missus.

“I told her I was going to play for Liverpool and it meant she had to take all the curtains down, pack up and move down the East Lancs Road. She wasn’t too pleased.”

Chisnall made just eight appearances for Liverpool before he was sold to Southend United in 1967, but later insisted he didn’t regret the move.

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“Things didn’t really work out for me but I didn’t regret joining Liverpool,” he said. “It was just circumstance really – I didn’t hit it off.

“It was a great side with players like Ian St John, Ian Callaghan, Peter Thompson, Roger Hunt, Willie Stevenson, Gordon Milne and Tommy Smith so it was always going to be tough to get into the side.

“In the space of a year, I played under Matt Busby, Bill Shankly and Alf Ramsey, who was manager of England Under-23s at the time.

“The three of them were all great managers, and it was a privilege to play for them.”

Michael Owen and Paul Ince remain the only two players in Premier League history to have played for both Liverpool and United.

However, both completed stints via different clubs, with Gabriel Heinze the player who came closest to breaking Chisnall’s record.

But the new Arsenal coach didn’t account for Alex Ferguson’s dislike of Liverpool, which saw him step in and block the deal.