Liverpool fans are set to be infuriated as ‘internal talks’ threaten to derail the £84.9m transfer deal.
Liverpool fans will be left fuming by ‘internal discussions’ hindering the £84.9m transfer deal.
The summer transfer window of 2025 is shaping up to be a chaotic one for Premier League clubs.
Several top-flight teams, including Liverpool and Arsenal, will be looking to strengthen their attacking options.
While it may seem surprising for Liverpool, given they’ve netted 80 goals in the Premier League this season—only PSG (84), Barcelona (89), and Bayern Munich (90) have scored more—it’s clear there’s a pressing need to lighten the goal-scoring load.
With Mo Salah contributing 28 of those goals (35%), Liverpool’s reliance on him is evident.
So, is Liverpool interested in signing Hugo Ekitike?
Hugo Ekitike could be the perfect candidate to help share the goal-scoring load with Liverpool’s Mo Salah. According to reports, Ekitike is on the club’s radar and could be a target this summer.
However, Liverpool will need to act fast, as Arsenal are also monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt is pushing to keep their star player by dangling the potential lure of a move to Real Madrid.
As Christian Falk revealed exclusively to CaughtOffside, “Arsenal and Liverpool are still interested in Hugo Ekitike. Frankfurt’s leadership already expects him to leave this summer. However, if the club qualifies for the Champions League, they’ll be hopeful he stays. They’d need €50m (£42.4m) to plan for next season, and while it’s possible, keeping Ekitike would be a challenge.”
The striker’s price tag stands at €100m (£84.9m), and Frankfurt’s internal discussions suggest they’re waiting for an offer from Real Madrid. If Frankfurt makes it into the Champions League, Ekitike would only consider moves to clubs competing in the tournament.
Liverpool Faces a Darwin Nunez Dilemma
While Liverpool fans hold Darwin Nunez in high regard, it’s become clear that the Uruguayan doesn’t fit into the plans of manager Arne Slot. Consequently, Nunez is likely to be sold this summer. His departure would free up funds and space in the squad for a more prolific striker.
Liverpool’s primary need is a player who can contribute goals at a rate comparable to their top forwards, Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo.
Which Striker Should Liverpool Target?
For sporting director Richard Hughes, the ideal candidate would likely be Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. The 25-year-old Swede has registered a goal contribution every 95.43 minutes in 2024/25 (all competitions) and has proven Premier League experience.
The downside? Isak has struggled with injuries, missing 39 games for both club and country since 2022/23. Additionally, his price is expected to far exceed the €100m (£84.9m) required to bring Ekitike to Liverpool.
Another concern is Isak’s limited Champions League experience—something critical for clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal with ambitions to reach the competition’s later stages.
In comparison, Ekitike might be the safer option, given his availability and potential, even though he is less polished than Isak.