Liverpool are gathering information on one of Europe's top goalscorers this season as a possible replacement for Darwin Nunez, according to a new report.
Liverpool set for a hectic summer
Despite Liverpool storming towards the Premier League title and going strong in the Champions League, much of the current talk around the club surrounds what will happen this summer in the transfer window.
The Reds' star trio of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract at the end of the season, and none have yet to pen to paper on new deals. The future of back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who has asserted his desire to leave Anfield, is also up in the air, as is that of striker Darwin Nunez.
Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez
The Uruguayan striker has been publicly criticised in recent weeks by manager Arne Slot, and is widely expected to leave Liverpool in the summer, three seasons after he joined the club from Benfica for a record fee of £84 million.
Since the move, Nunez has scored just 40 goals in 133 games, with the 40th of those coming in a match-winning performance against Southampton on Saturday, as he equalised shortly after half-time before winning a penalty moments later.
Liverpool are understood to be monitoring a number of players to replace Nunez, including Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha, and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, the latter of whom they have been reported to have already made contact over.
Liverpool's Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota look dejected after the match Related
[Liverpool now open talks over move to sign £66m "monster" Nunez replacement](https://www.footballfancast.com/liverpool-open-talks-over-move-for-benjamin-sesko-nunez-exit-likely/ "Liverpool now open talks over move to sign £66m "monster" Nunez replacement")
The Reds have made the first move to sign a striker ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to a report from The Boot Room, Liverpool have opened talks to sign the Leipzig star, who is also attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea.
Liverpool eyeing Atalanta's Mateo Retegui
Another striker reportedly on Liverpool's shortlist to replace Nunez is Atalanta's Mateo Retegui. The Italy international, 25, is the top scorer in Serie A this season, having netted 21 goals in 25 games for Gian Piero Gasperini's side with a further three in the Champions League.
His impressive return this term sees him currently sit joint-second in the race for the European Golden Shoe alongside Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, who he boasts extremely similar attributes to.
According to Rousing the Kop, Liverpool have been gathering information on Retegui ahead of a potential summer swoop, with Slot adamant on signing a new centre-forward ahead of his second season in charge.
Retegui, who only joined Atalanta last summer from Genoa last summer, has been heavily praised by Italy manager Luciano Spalletti, who has made him a regular for the Azzurri since taking over as head coach in 2023.
“He’s a very serious lad,” Spalletti said of the striker back in October, according to The Guardian. “Inside the box, he is lethal. And now he has learned how to connect with the team better. He’s going to become a top player.”