**Ex-Newcastle defender Stuart Pearce has suggested that his former club should consider asking Liverpool for Darwin Nunez in part exchange for Alexander Isak.**
The Uruguayan international has struggled to score goals on a consistent basis since moving to Anfield from Benfica for £85m three years ago, but Pearce thinks Nunez has the characteristics to thrive on Tyneside:
“I think if a deal does get hashed with Newcastle. I think maybe Nunez going in the opposite direction to Newcastle might be the way that make Newcastle better off. In my opinion, Nunez might be the one full of energy. He might just be the one that the new Newcastle fans take to. He creates chances for himself, for sure. He’s just been a little bit wasteful over time. If he gets that right, all of a sudden he’ll be a very effective replacement for Isak.”
“So, if I was Newcastle, I would say, look, if at the end of the day we’re going to lose Isak, send Nunez to us and then we’ll have a bash with him. You’ve played at Newcastle, they just love their own players up there, especially the forwards, don’t they? You know, I can see, you’ve seen Nunez, he goes in, he misses a chance, he misses another one, but he keeps going.”
“He’s unshakable in that respect. And you think that’s a great trait to have as a striker. It’s the ones that pull their neck in and don’t get into missing chances. So, I think I could see him playing for Newcastle, I really could, if they needed a replacement.”
Newcastle have identified other replacements for Isak
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While the club are still in talks about signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, there is a feeling that the Slovenian international would favour a move to Manchester United.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has been mentioned as a possible alternative. The 29-year-old has also been a target for the Red Devils and Arsenal in the past.
What is the latest on Isak’s future?
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Liverpool have tabled an opening bid worth an initial £110m for the Swedish international, but the proposal fell well short of the Magpies’ £150m valuation.
There are now suggestions that the Reds WON’T follow up the offer with another one. In terms of [**Isak**](https://newcastleunitednews.org/blog/newcastle-united-transfer-news-alexander-isak-4/) himself, he has reportedly been offered a new contract, which includes a release clause, but he is adamant that he wants to leave. It remains to be seen how this transfer saga will play out.
In other news, [**Newcastle United are now regarded as the “most likely destination” for a £60.5m-rated striker**](https://newcastleunitednews.org/blog/newcaslte-united-transfer-news-benjamin-sesko/)