LIVERPOOL have reportedly entered the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer amid rumours of a Darwin Nunez exit.
Gyokeres, 27, has been linked with a move Arsenal and Manchester United this season after scoring an astonishing 54 goals across all competitions last term.
Liverpool have reportedly entered the race for Viktor Gyokeres[/caption]
Darwin Nunez appears set for a Liverpool exit this summer[/caption]
The striker is thought to have told current outfit Sporting Lisbon that he wants to leave during the summer window, but is yet to have made any significant steps towards an exit.
That has opened the door for Liverpool to enter the race for his signature, with the Reds said to be interested in Gyokeres as a potential replacement for Darwin Nunez.
According to Portuguese outfit CMJornal, Liverpool have shortlisted Gyokeres as a target with Nunez looking set for a switch to Italian club Napoli.
They claim that Liverpool are interested in a deal, but will not pay the £68m asking price that Sporting are demanding – given their hefty outlay on Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong already.
However, they could boost their transfer war chest with a sale for Nunez, who appears to be ready to call time on his turbulent spell on Merseyside.
Nunez has been linked with a move to Napoli, and has told a pal and former teammate that he is keen on leaving Anfield in the coming weeks.
The forward’s ex-Penarol teammate and Uruguay star Walter Gargano told radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli: “Nunez? The warmth of the Neapolitans would do him a lot of good.
“I spoke to him about a week ago and I hope he really comes to Naples.
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“I told him: ‘Go to Naples!’ He and his family will decide what to do with his future.
“He told me: ‘Yes, I’ll come to Naples right away. I’m waiting to close with Naples’.”
Nunez started just eight Premier League games for Liverpool last season, struggling for minutes under Arne Slot and managing just five league goals.
Italian transfer insider Alfredo Pedulla has claimed that Napoli have tabled an offer worth £36.7m for Nunez, but explained that Liverpool are holding out for a package worth £42.7m.
Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica in 2022 in a deal worth up to £85m.
Saudi Arabian sides and La Liga giants Atletico Madrid have also been linked with a move for Nunez, but a switch to Napoli now seems most likely.
Liverpool will have to put up a fight if they do pursue a deal for Gyokeres as his replacement, with Arsenal and Man Utd both still keen on the Swede.
Arsenal are reportedly still in talks with both Gyokeres and RB Lepizig’s Benjamin Sesko as they try and decide which striker to bring to the Emirates.
While United hold a long-standing interest in Gyokeres, who worked under manager Ruben Amorim at Sporting, but appear focused on completing a deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo at the moment.
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