logo
Liverpool eyes blockbuster bid for Newcastle's Isak — reports

Liverpool eyes blockbuster bid for Newcastle's Isak — reports

The Hindu14 hours ago
Liverpool is considering a blockbuster £120 million ($160 million) bid for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak despite the Magpies' desire to hold onto the Sweden star, according to reports on Wednesday.
The Premier League champion is yet to make a formal offer for Isak but he is believed to be high on its wanted list as boss Arne Slot looks for a new forward in the wake of Diogo Jota's death.
Isak joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad for £63 million in 2022, emerging as a key player for Eddie Howe's team.
He scored 23 Premier League goals last season to fire the club into the Champions League for the second time in three years.
Isak also scored in Newcastle's League Cup final victory over Liverpool at Wembley, which ended the Magpies' 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
ALSO READ | Cristiano Ronaldo wins Saudi Pro League fans' player of the season award
The 25-year-old, who is currently at a pre-season training camp in Austria, still has three years remaining on his contract and Newcastle is understood to be trying to tie him to a new deal.
It has reportedly put a value of around £150 million on Isak in an attempt to ward off potential suitors, with Arsenal also reportedly contemplating an offer.
Newcastle's majority owner, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has the financial muscle to resist any approach for a player who is said not to be agitating for a move.
Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa have also been linked with moves away from Anfield, which would increase their need to bring in a new striker.
As well as its Isak interest, Liverpool has been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt's £70 million-rated forward Hugo Ekitike, who has also attracted attention from Newcastle.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

La Liga: Days after 18th birthday, Lamine Yamal confirmed to wear Lionel Messi's iconic No 10 jersey
La Liga: Days after 18th birthday, Lamine Yamal confirmed to wear Lionel Messi's iconic No 10 jersey

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

La Liga: Days after 18th birthday, Lamine Yamal confirmed to wear Lionel Messi's iconic No 10 jersey

Lamine Yamal has been handed the No 10 at Barcelona (Image via X/@FCBarcelona & BarcaUniversal) Wearing the number 10 for FC Barcelona is one of the most prestigious and demanding responsibilities at the same time. Lamine Yamal has done just that, as he took over the number 10 shirt at Barcelona, previously worn by club legend Lionel Messi. The 18-year-old winger, already a key player for the Catalan side, made the switch official at an event held at the club shop at Spotify Camp Nou. "Messi made his path and I will make mine," said Yamal. "I will work as hard as I can, give everything and try to make those Barca fans who are there happy and those who are at home." Yamal, a La Masia graduate like Messi, helped Barcelona to a domestic treble last season and signed a contract extension until 2031 in May, becoming one of the club's highest-paid players. "I hope to enjoy myself more than last year and make my dreams come true," he added. Yamal expressed his desire to win both the Champions League with Barcelona and the World Cup with Spain. Having debuted in 2023 at just 15 years old in the number 41 shirt, Yamal has already made over 100 appearances and scored 25 goals for the club. He wore number 27 last season before switching to 19, which was Messi's shirt number in the Argentine's early years at the club. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Lamine Yamal with the No 10 (Image via X/Screengrab) "Barca is my life, I've been here since I was seven, for all kids from La Masia their dream is to make it to the first team and I'm doing it and I have to keep working," said Yamal. "When I was little I dreamed of being at Barca and having this numbe,." said the player to reporters, as quoted by AFP. Ansu Fati had previously worn the number 10 shirt after Messi's 2021 departure, but injuries curtailed his impact, and he recently joined Monaco on loan. "(Messi, Maradona, Ronaldinho) are three legends of football, three legends of this club," Yamal said. "I am grateful for what they gave the club and I will try to continue this legacy." Poll Do you think Lamine Yamal can live up to the legacy of Lionel Messi in the number 10 shirt? Yes, he has the talent. No, that's a huge expectation. The youngster also responded to recent scrutiny over his birthday celebration: "In the end I work for Barca, I play for Barca, but when I'm away from (the club) I enjoy my life, and that's all." The player has been the center of attention for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism as entertainers for his 18th birthday party. Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) has vowed to take legal and social action against the young star. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

Bundesliga transfer news: Leipzig signs Bakayoko, Maksimović and Diomande, all on same day
Bundesliga transfer news: Leipzig signs Bakayoko, Maksimović and Diomande, all on same day

The Hindu

time3 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Bundesliga transfer news: Leipzig signs Bakayoko, Maksimović and Diomande, all on same day

Leipzig has delivered a statement of intent for the new Bundesliga season by signing Belgium winger Johan Bakayoko, Serbia midfielder Andrija Maksimović, and Ivory Coast youth international Yan Diomande, all on the same day. The 22-year-old Bakayoko's arrival from PSV Eindhoven was the last of the three announced by Leipzig on Wednesday, following that of the 18-year-old Maksimović from Red Star Belgrade and Diomande, also 18, from Spanish second-division team Leganés. All three players signed deals through June 2030, the Bundesliga club said. Bakayoko, who had also been a target for Bayer Leverkusen, will wear the number 9 at Leipzig. 'We have had Johan Bakayoko on our radar for a couple of years now and have tried to sign him time and again,' Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer said. 'We're even happier that he's chosen to join Leipzig despite many teams vying for his signature.' Bakayoko helped PSV to back-to-back Dutch league titles with nine goals in 30 league appearances last season, and 12 in 33 the season before. 'With his power, explosiveness, pace and eye for goal, he'll improve our play down the right wing and has his strengths both on and off the ball,' Schäfer said. ALSO READ: Lamine Yamal to wear Messi's iconic Barcelona No. 10 jersey Maksimović made his professional debut aged 16 in Serbia, then his Champions League debut and Serbia debut a year later. He has already played eight games for the national team. 'We've followed his progress closely during his first season at senior level and are convinced he's already ready to take the next step,' Schäfer said of Maksimović. Diomande spent just one season at Leganés after moving from Florida-based club AS Frenzi. He made his league debut against Real Madrid and scored two goals in 10 La Liga appearances for Leganés, which was relegated at the end of the season. 'He's a left winger with outstanding pace, strong dribbling, athleticism and a real eye for goal. On top of that, he never gives up on a ball and plays with great team spirit. With these qualities, he fits perfectly into the type of football we want to play this season,' Schäfer said. Leipzig missed out on European qualification last season and will be targeting a top-four finish in the Bundesliga to reach the lucrative Champions League. Yussuf Poulsen, who joined Leipzig when it was still in Germany's third division in 2013, has left for promoted Hamburger SV. Other players, including Benjamin Šeško and Loïs Openda, are also candidates to leave. Related Topics Bundesliga / RB Leipzig

Lamine Yamal inherits Barcelona's iconic number 10 jersey
Lamine Yamal inherits Barcelona's iconic number 10 jersey

The Hindu

time9 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Lamine Yamal inherits Barcelona's iconic number 10 jersey

Barcelona's electric 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal has been handed the famous number 10 shirt previously worn by club icon Lionel Messi, capping a remarkable breakthrough season for the teenager. Yamal earned the jersey after a stellar campaign where he netted 18 goals and provided 25 assists as Barcelona swept the domestic treble of LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup while they reached the Champions League semi-finals. The youngster, who wore the number 19 shirt last season, had already committed his long-term future to the club, signing a contract extension in May that will keep him at Barcelona until 2031. On Wednesday, he received the number 10 shirt from club president Joan Laporta in a special ceremony. The number 10 shirt carries enormous weight at the Camp Nou, having been worn by Messi during his trophy-laden tenure at the club that shaped his career. The Argentine claimed 34 trophies with Barcelona and departed as the club's all-time leading scorer with 672 goals, although he left after the 2020-21 season due to the club's financial troubles. The number 10 shirt at Barcelona was also worn by greats such as Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho, but Yamal said he would not be weighed down by its legacy. "Messi paved the way with the number 10, I will make mine," Yamal told reporters. "They are three soccer and club legends. Every kid dreams of having something from Messi, Ronaldinho and Maradona... I'll try to carry on that legacy. "First, my dream was to debut for Barca and wear the number 10. Everyone who grows up here dreams of that. I'm grateful to the club." Following Messi's exit, the jersey was passed to young winger Ansu Fati but the now 22-year-old failed to live up to his early promise and he was eventually loaned out to Brighton & Hove Albion. Fati will spend next season on loan at AS Monaco, clearing the way for Yamal to inherit one of football's most famous shirt numbers. Having also won the European Championship with Spain last year, Yamal said his next goal was to win the titles that are missing from his trophy cabinet. "I haven't won the Champions League and the World Cup," he said. "These are my goals now."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store