Liverpool’s top five striker targets after club claim they will not bid again for Alexander Isak
Liverpool could pursue five other striking options after their bid for Alexander Isak was rejected by Newcastle.
The Reds are in need of a new striker this summer, despite signing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79million [The Guardian].
The Frenchman is a talented player capable of playing in a variety of positions. Still, with Darwin Nunez likely heading to the Saudi Pro League, Arne Slot will need at least one more forward as his side looks to retain their Premier League crown.
Isak was Liverpool’s preferred option, but having had a bid of £110m [BBC Sport] rejected by Newcastle for the Swedish striker, the Merseyside club have privately made clear they have no plans to return for the former Borussia Dortmund man.
With a deal for the 25-year-old seemingly off the table, the Reds are likely to turn their attention to other options this summer, and here are five players they could be set to target.
Benjamin Sesko move to stun rivals
Benjamin Sesko has been a target for Man United and Arsenal this summer, and Newcastle have made an offer of €80m (£69.9m) for the Slovenian striker [The Athletic].
The RB Leipzig star suffered a down season last year as the East German side stumbled to a seventh-placed finish in the Bundesliga.
The year prior, Sesko scored 14 goals in 1535 minutes in the league, and in the 2024/25 season, the striker scored 13 goals in 2407 minutes.
But whilst the 22-year-old regressed statistically, the 6ft5in striker passes the eye test and was still able to put up impressive numbers as his team endured a difficult season under two different managers.
What’s more, Sesko outperformed his xG on 9.89 by a wide margin, showing that he is capable of scoring even when a chance is unfavourable.
The ability to make something out of nothing would make him suited for a fast-paced league like the Premier League, and with a supporting cast of Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Mohamed Salah, the Slovenia international would surely thrive.
Rafael Leao a versatile option
Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider in June that Liverpool were considering a move for AC Milan star Rafael Leao.
Much like Sesko, the 2024/25 season was a difficult one for the Portugal international and his side, as the Rossoneri slumped to an eighth-place finish.
However, Leao kept up his impressive output for Milan, registering eight goals and eight assists for his side, and adding a further seven goal contributions in other competitions.
Whilst not an out-and-out striker, the 26-year-old is comfortable playing as a frontman.
But if Leao were to join Liverpool, he would likely be used as a left-winger, allowing Ekitike to play in his natural position as a number nine.
The idea of Salah and Leao on opposing wings for the reigning champions of England would be a terrifying one for their competitors.
Ollie Watkins offers Premier League pedigree
Sources told Football Insider exclusively in April that Liverpool were closely monitoring Ollie Watkins‘ situation at Aston Villa.
Despite five consecutive seasons of double-digit scoring in the Premier League, the England international was dropped to the bench by Unai Emery for key matches, including a Champions League clash with PSG.
Watkins is 29, making his resale value minimal, but that will not concern the Reds who are keen for a top-level striker to finish the chances that Wirtz in particular will be creating next season.
In the last two seasons, Watkins has marginally outperformed his xG, which is no surprise given the former Brentford man has been one of the league’s most consistent goal-getters over the last half-decade.
Additionally, Villa are working on a limited budget this summer after receiving a sanction from UEFA and surviving a Premier League punishment for PSR by the skin of their teeth, and they will be motivated to sell if a good offer comes in for the 29-year-old.
Rodrygo adds Galactico magic
Slot’s side will have to move quickly to get this one done, as Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Tottenham are in talks to sign Rodrygo.
The brilliant Brazilian often goes under the radar at the Bernabeu, thanks to his headline-grabbing teammates Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
But Rodrygo is a Galactico in his own right, 24 goal contributions whilst not having a sniff at set pieces of any kind show what he can do as a third wheel.
And the discussion around the 24-year-old’s future in Spain heated up during the Club World Cup, as Xabi Alonso started his wide man in only one game, a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal.
Versatile, creative, and comfortable taking control of a game by himself, Rodrygo would be an incredible addition to Liverpool’s front line.
Liverpool could match Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa bid
Finally, an under-the-radar option for the Reds could be Yoane Wissa.
The Brentford striker scored 19 goals, with none of them being penalties, for Brentford last season.
The Congolese forward is a fox in the box. Nunez’s easy missed chances would be a distant memory if the 28-year-old made the move to Anfield, as those are his bread and butter.
Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider that Newcastle are preparing to return with an improved offer for Wissa, meaning Liverpool will need to act quickly.
He may be a little less glamorous than other options, but the former Lorient striker was arguably the best performer of the five options suggested last season, and would be a good short-term option, allowing the Reds to head into next summer’s transfer window with another bulging transfer kitty.