LIVERPOOL have explored moves for a number of high-profile centre forwards in recent days, alongside their pursuit of £150million-rated Alexander Isak.

NEWCASTLE UNITED talisman Isak, 25, has long been considered Liverpool’s No 1 target should they go for a striker but the noise out of St James’ Park has always been that the Sweden international is not for sale. Liverpool do not wish to enter into a prolonged saga but understand Isak is interested in a move to Anfield.

As Mail Sport reported last week, Isak’s situation is complicated and his motivations could determine what happens next. He was disappointed that what he thought was the promise of a new contract from Newcastle’s previous co-owners was not honoured after they left the club.

Newcastle do not want to sell and are likely to offer Isak improved terms. It is not yet known if he wants to sign a new deal, but the club are braced for Liverpool to make a formal offer.

In case they cannot secure Isak’s services, Liverpool have also asked about ASTON VILLA’s Ollie Watkins, BRENTFORD’s Yoane Wissa, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen – as part of talks involving the Italian champions’ interest in Darwin Nunez – and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, for whom Newcastle have had an initial £70m bid rejected. The Reds are also alert to the possibility of REAL MADRID selling Rodrygo.

Alexander Isak is Liverpool’s top target but Newcastle are adamant their striker is not for sale 

Liverpool have also looked into signing Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa if they cannot get Isak

MANCHESTER UNITED’s Marcus Rashford was also floated as an idea but that has not progressed so far.

Talks are ongoing with potential targets, with Liverpool hoping to offset some of their spending by offloading the likes of Nunez, Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton.

BAYERN MUNICH are set to test Liverpool’s resolve to keep Luis Diaz with an improved offer after the Germans’ £58.5m bid was rejected out of hand on Tuesday. Liverpool are adamant they will not sell the Colombian, despite Bayern’s interest and a recent phone call from BARCELONA.

ARSENAL wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are other options under consideration by Bayern, as well as Rodrygo at Madrid.

Liverpool are not looking to sell Ibrahima Konate in this window. The centre back, 26, is wanted by Madrid but the Spaniards wish to wait and see if he will be out of contract next summer. Liverpool could yet reach an agreement on a new deal with the France international before then.

Arsenal join race for EFL wonderkid 

Arsenal checked on SALFORD CITY striker Will Wright last week as they consider battling Liverpool and MANCHESTER CITY for the 17-year-old striker.

Wright scored in Salford’s friendly at York City last Friday, his fourth goal in a week, before the game was abandoned after a Salford player was allegedly racially abused. Arsenal scouts ran the rule over Wright but Liverpool remain in pole position, having lodged an offer of around £100,000 with a further £200,000 in add-ons.

The Gunners are continuing discussions for SPORTING LISBON striker Viktor Gyokeres, whose agents were in London on Tuesday. VALENCIA defender Cristhian Mosquera has also arrived in London ahead of his medical, and Noni Madueke’s move from CHELSEA is set to be confirmed after he completed a medical on Monday.

Cristhian Mosquera has arrived in London for a medical ahead of joining Arsenal from Valencia

Arsenal are confident of agreeing a new contract with Ethan Nwaneri, their 18-year-old superstar who only has a year remaining on his deal. They are also discussing how they can prise Eberechi Eze away from CRYSTAL PALACE but are mindful of the conditions of his £68m release clause. TOTTENHAM hold an interest in Palace’s Adam Wharton but that is not progressing as it stands.

Forest face German opposition for McAtee 

Manchester City midfielder James McAtee is visiting BORUSSIA DORTMUND as well as EINTRACHT FRANKFURT in the coming days, as he prepares to decide his future. Nottingham Forest remain poised to make an offer but are reluctant to go above £25m plus add-ons for the England Under 21s captain.

Forest have yet to make an official complaint over Tottenham’s approach for Morgan Gibbs-White although it is still being considered.

The England international has returned to training at Forest but is still looking to join Tottenham this summer, with Wolves due a cut of the fee because they have a sell-on clause.

Forest want McAtee to bolster their squad regardless of whether Gibbs-White goes but the interest from the Bundesliga in the 22-year-old is strong.

Everton in for Villa’s Ramsey

EVERTON have joined Nottingham Forest in sounding out ASTON VILLA over midfielder Jacob Ramsey.

However, the 24-year-old is ambitious to make a step up should he be forced to leave Villa this summer, amid the club’s concerns over the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, so he is happy to bide his time for the right move. 

Everton have also been linked with JUVENTUS midfielder Douglas Luiz, who has interest from the likes of Forest and other Premier League sides, but David Moyes is not looking to pursue a deal for the 27-year-old at this stage.

Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is attracting interest from Everton and Nottingham Forest

Everton have completed the signing of goalkeeper Mark Travers from BOURNEMOUTH on a four-year contract for around £4m plus add-ons.

The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international has not trained yet with his new team-mates but told EvertonTV after putting pen to paper: ‘Coming in, you can feel how big this club is and the history that comes with it. You really feel that with the fanbase, the new stadium and the direction the club is going in.’

On his third signing of the window, following the arrivals of midfielder Carlos Alcaraz and striker Thierno Barry, manager David Moyes said: ‘With Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia leaving over the summer, we were looking for a goalkeeper with a level of experience to support Jordan Pickford. We are continuing to work on bringing in more players ahead of the start of the season.’

Full back Roman Dixon is in talks to join STOCKPORT COUNTY on loan this week, and Everton are finalising deals for 16-year-old centre backs Reuben Gokah of Charlton and John Dodds of Hearts for their academy.

Villa monitoring Garnacho 

ASTON VILLA are among the clubs monitoring developments with Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.

The winger, who has turned down overtures from Al Nassr, wants to stay in the Premier League and is aware of interest from Chelsea.

Garnacho, 21, is among United’s out-of-favour players who have been asked to report for training after 5pm this week, once head coach Ruben Amorim and the rest of the first-team squad have left Carrington.

Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia are not part of Amorim’s plans for the coming season and were granted extra time away to settle their futures earlier this month. Sancho is an option for Juventus but is not their priority as the Italians push to secure a permanent deal for Porto winger Francisco Conceicao.

Aston Villa are among the clubs monitoring Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho

United players have heard that the club still intend to sign Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez but talks have yet to go beyond an enquiry, with Botafogo’s John Victor a more affordable option to cover for Andre Onana. Sturm Graz have interest in United reserve keeper Radek Vitek.

United still hope to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford before they fly to the USA for their pre-season tour next Tuesday.

In other news at Villa, BENFICA are closing in on a £13m deal for Enzo Barrenechea and have offered the midfielder a five-year deal. SHEFFIELD UNITED are pushing to sign Louie Barry on loan if Villa boss Unai Emery decides he can leave next week. 

Villa defender Finley Munroe has agreed a deal to join SWINDON TOWN on loan. Villa have also signed keeper Marco Bizot, 34, from French club Brest on a two-year deal.

Bournemouth set price for Tavernier 

Bournemouth value winger Marcus Tavernier at around £30million as interest builds in the 26-year-old from WEST HAM, Fenerbahce, Besiktas and others.

Tavernier cost Bournemouth £15m from Middlesbrough and they would want a considerable return on their investment. West Ham are set to confirm the signing of left wing-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, 20, from Slavia Prague, but they also want a winger after losing Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham.

West Ham are eyeing a winger and have shown interest in Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier

Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott is among others on their list. LEICESTER CITY‘s Bilal El Khannouss is admired but also has interest from SUNDERLAND. MONACO are the latest club to show interest in Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle.

Around the leagues 

MIDDLESBROUGH are offering around £1.5m for Blackburn Rovers right back Callum Brittain, 27. Brittain is in the last year of his contract and will be free to speak to clubs in January. Wrexham and Derby County have expressed interest as well. Boro are also exploring a deal for former West Ham striker Danny Ings, 32.

DERBY COUNTY are signing Charlotte FC striker Patrick Agyemang – not to be confused with the former Wimbledon, Preston and QPR forward who has retired – after paperwork was exchanged last night.

BURNLEY remain keen on NORWICH CITY striker Josh Sargent but talks are advancing with WOLFSBURG for the 25-year-old USA international. Ideally, Burnley need to sell to free up further funds. Talks over James Trafford’s move to Newcastle are ongoing but Burnley are waiting to see if other clubs show interest.

LEICESTER CITY have signed young striker Lorenz Hutchinson to a professional contract despite interest from the likes of Nottingham Forest, BRIGHTON and Newcastle. Hutchinson, who scored 12 goals in 18 games for Leicester’s Under 18s last season and 41 goals in 29 games the year before, has given a timely boost to new manager Marti Cifuentes, who is keen to give youth a chance in his senior squad.

Leicester have tied down their young superstar striker Lorenz Hutchinson to a new deal

Former LEEDS UNITED and Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara, now at Rennes, has received a £6m offer from Red Star Belgrade. A deal is still to be agreed for the Finland international, 29, with English clubs monitoring developments.

RANGERS are looking into signing 16-year-old CARDIFF CITY striker Jack Sykes, who has been starring for the Bluebirds’ Under 18s.

One to watch 

MONACO striker Breel Embolo is back on the radar of Premier League clubs, with the 28-year-old valued at £12m.

The Switzerland international’s injury record has been held against him in the past but he has just come off a season where he made 50 appearances for club and country and scored 10 goals, ending with strikes in Switzerland’s friendly victories over Mexico and USA last month. Besiktas and AC Milan have asked in recent weeks but English clubs are also attentive.