Shades of Isaac: Liverpool begin contract talks for £90m star alongside Diomand

In lower than 24 hours, Liverpool have emerged from the wilderness within the race to signal Osasuna’s Victor Munoz, usurping Newcastle United’s transfer within the eleventh hour.

This was the type of wager you’d count on to see late available in the market, the place golf equipment scramble to get forward of the picks which can be nonetheless out there. However this was FSG on the peak of their powers, snatching the Tyneside-bound Spaniard in a single fell swoop.

Muñoz, 22, is presently in North America as a part of Luis de la Fuentes’ Spain squad. He beforehand performed for Barcelona and Actual Madrid, making 4 appearances for the latter’s first workforce.

Regardless of a robust begin to the Andoni Iraola period, Liverpool have achieved little there and are nonetheless eager to pursue Ivorian celebrity Yann Diomande and additional reinforcements throughout the park.

Liverpool in talks to signal Premier League star

Muñoz and Diomande may type a brand new period of goalscoring for Liverpool. Certainly, these speedy gamers are the type of gamers who can raise Iraola’s high-intensity system off the bottom.

The 2024/25 champions completed fifth within the Premier League final 12 months, which led to Arne Slott’s sacking. Liverpool want to enhance even additional subsequent 12 months, with sporting director Richard Hughes trying to rebuild their assault, however Liverpool additionally want new items in midfield and defence.

Iraola may function Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven on the again, with Dutch journalist Mike Verweij claiming that Liverpool and Barcelona have made contact together with his entourage following the signing stalemate in north London.

The 25-year-old could also be leveraging suitors to safe a greater cope with Spurs, however Liverpool will probably be arduous to withstand within the switch market and Iraola may full a brand new backline if FSG are prepared to satisfy his £90m valuation.

There are conflicting studies about Liverpool’s curiosity in the mean time, however Van de Ven has attracted the eye of FSG previously, and if ideas from the Dutch are to be believed, Liverpool would a minimum of be prepared to contemplate signing a probably game-changing defender now that Ibrahima Konate has signed for Actual Madrid.

Why Van de Ven could possibly be Liverpool’s subsequent Isaac

Konate may have moved to Actual Madrid, however Liverpool bosses are more likely to identify Jeremy Jacquet, who was pre-signed for £60m in January, as his instant successor. Giovanni Leoni can also be engaged on his health forward of pre-season after his debut for the Merseysiders was ruined by a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Liverpool want a defender like Van de Ven, and whereas he is probably not fairly the identical participant, he may surprisingly find yourself emulating Alexander Isak in a big-money transfer to Liverpool this summer time.

If the Reds had been to spend £90 million so as to add the Dutchman to their squad, they might not solely be including to their backline, however they might even be signing a singular participant of elegant means who can use his athleticism, pace and energy to attain issues past the talents of different centre-backs.

When the decision comes from Anfield, gamers are likely to hear. Van de Ven is a talisman for Tottenham, albeit in a distinct sense than Isaac at St. James’ Park. If the Reds ramp up their intrigue, we may see some type of repeat or bonanza assault towards their Premier League rivals in a second successive summer time window.

Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle for a record-breaking £125m final summer time, and whereas Van de Ven’s arrival was cheaper, it’s greater than the £80m Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.

Is Van de Ven price it? You won’t suppose so whereas staying in a relegation-threatened Tottenham aspect, however he is likely one of the greatest gamers within the enterprise and a game-changer for a workforce that benefited from his profile after which prevented relegation. In that respect, he was a “monster” for the workforce, says Elliott Jackson.

Isak struggled all through his first season at Liverpool, however who may doubt the Swedish striker’s world-class high quality? Iraola will probably be anticipated to carry new expertise out of the 26-year-old, and the identical will probably be true for Van de Ven.

There is no such thing as a doubt that that is an bold transfer for Liverpool, however one which will probably be effectively definitely worth the effort. Van de Ven is just like Isaac in that his apparel is coveted, serving to him safe silverware after an extended drought. He’s a talisman and will carry that to a Liverpool aspect aiming for larger ranges of success.