Coach Arne Slot is looking to revamp his centre-forward line-up. During the winter transfer window, he was open to letting go of Uruguayan international Darwin Nunez, who was offered by Saudi Arabia, but the deal never went through as there was no time to find a replacement.
However, with clubs in the Middle East likely to make another bid and European clubs such as AC Milan and Atletico Madrid looking at him, the 25-year-old forward is likely to end his Liverpool career in three years.
Portuguese international Diogo Jota has been injured year after year and has been away from goal since his return this season. With his return to Wolverhampton Wanderers being discussed, he may replace a front-line player.
It is not in the best interests of the club’s management to suddenly let go of two players, but one of them will have to leave.
And although Liverpool are interested in Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, who has been scoring goals in the Premier League, a battle is inevitable and the transfer fee is rising, so they have a list of replacements.
According to the Daily Mail, the Merseyside club are keen on 22-year-old forward Hugo Ekitiké, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt, in case they fail to land the Swedish striker, and are tracking his movements.
He failed to break through at Paris Saint-Germain, but his hidden talent has blossomed in the Bundesliga. The German international joined Frankfurt in the summer of 2024 after a six-month loan spell, where he has been involved in a number of goals as a centre-forward.
After 38 games this season, he has an impressive 19 goals and eight assists, and is recognised as a highly-rated forward in Germany. Although he has never represented France at full international level, it is only a matter of time before he becomes a regular in the talent corps.
Despite his height, he has a supple technique with his feet, as well as the speed to break out vertically. He is also decisive in front of goal and has similar abilities to the 25-year-old striker who leads the Newcastle United attack, so it is understandable that he is listed as a replacement.
The transfer fee is unlikely to be prohibitive and he is a realistic target as a cheap option. Will the Reds really whitewash a young forward who could be the future of France…?