Two top transfer targets and five days remaining to get them across the line. Liverpool are cutting it close if they wish to add Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi to Arne Slot’s squad for the first part of the season.
The Reds were quick to get the bulk of their business done this summer but have been made to wait for the correct conditions to agree deals for Newcastle United’s wantaway striker and Crystal Palace’s captain, who is out of contract in 2026 therefore would be available for free.
So it is going to require some rapid negotiations between Liverpool and their reluctant rivals to meet next Monday, September 1’s 7pm transfer deadline.
Here, the ECHO looks into the latest reports on these top Reds target at this crucial time of the summer.
Fabrizio Romano, speaking to DAZN Football, says Newcastle have tried their best to convince Isak to stay for one more season then they would maybe let him move in 2026. The player’s position is still the same – he only wants Liverpool.
The Reds haven’t received any encouragement from their rivals, which is what they have waited for since their £110m bid was turned down.
But Romano believes Anfield chiefs will make contact and begin to ‘insist’ conversations continue on the night of Tuesday, August 26, or on Wednesday, August 27.
Liverpool will not deviate to other targets.
Lewis Steele for The Daily Mail reports on Liverpool’s latest interest in Marc Guehi after a troublesome start to the season in defence. The Reds may have won both Premier League games so far but they have conceded four goals, plus there are to two conceded to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield to consider.
Liverpool have long-term interest in Guehi and made an approach after the Community Shield but Palace were asking too high a price for a player who will be out of contract next summer.
Here it is now claimed the Reds will initiate further talks with another move later this week. They can only hope Eagles chairman Steve Parish lowers his demands so that a transfer can be sealed before the deadline.
If not, both Liverpool and Guehi would be happy to wait for one another with a free transfer in 2026.
For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoLFC – the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account – for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.
We’re also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC – your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
