Exclusive: Liverpool warned off major Aston Villa and Ipswich transfers
Liverpool have been told not to raid Aston Villa or Ipswich Town for an alternative signing to Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, according to Glen Johnson.
Arne Slot's side have long been linked with the Magpies' greatest asset, though Football Insider understands that Liverpool are unlikely to meet Isak's price tag this summer.
With 27 goals and six assists across all competitions this season, Eddie Howe will be highly against losing the Sweden international during the transfer window, and the Reds may have to look elsewhere.
Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz are all fine attacking options at Anfield, but even they are expected to leave as Slot prepares to rebuild the squad to his liking at the end of the season.
Alexander Isak replacements named at Anfield
Mick Brown told Football Insider that Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins is open to a move to Merseyside this summer, with Slot ready to trust the 29-year-old as his first-choice striker.
He was the subject of a transfer bid from Arsenal during the winter transfer window, and while the move never came to fruition, the forward could finally leave Villa Park if the Reds come calling.
Liverpool have also been named in the race for Liam Delap's signature after a breakthrough season with the Tractor Boys, with the 22-year-old available for £30million following Ipswich's relegation [BBC Sport].
However, many supporters are far too fixated on the idea of securing Isak to consider alternative signings this summer, and Johnson has not been sold on the list of potential replacements either, with Benjamin Sesko another name to crop up.
| Player | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Alexander Isak | Newcastle United | 41 | 27 | 6 |
| Ollie Watkins | Aston Villa | 52 | 17 | 13 |
| Liam Delap | Ipswich Town | 38 | 12 | 2 |
Liam Delap and Ollie Watkins to Liverpool a no-go
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, via TG Casino, Johnson played down moves for Isak's possible replacements:
"None of those names really excite me, not to the point of paying big money. I don't think players should be signed for the sake of it, unless they're worth the money, and I don't think they are."
Slot looks to be just one out-and-out striker away from completing the puzzle at Anfield ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but it remains to be seen who will fill that gap if Isak is unavailable.