Liverpool have been focusing their efforts to improve their forward line on three central targets in recent weeks, but Fabrizio Romano has revealed the one they are "working" on a deal for.
Florian Plettenberg revealed this week Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike are "three concrete options" for Liverpool this summer after sporting director Richard Hughes completed checks on all of the forwards.
Isak is seemingly the dream target for both Liverpool and probable title rivals Arsenal, although Newcastle United are set to demand £150m for his signature in a bid to ward off suitors this summer.
Ekitike meanwhile has been quite publcily priced at £85m, while Osimhen could leave Napoli for around £64m after an impressive loan spell at Galatasaray.
Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates after the match-1
Darwin Nunez is expected to depart Anfield this summer, with interest from Italian sides and the Saudi Pro League, although talks over a move to Napoli have reportedly slowed in recent days due to Liverpool's demands.
Arne Slot made no secret of his desire for Nunez to step his game up last season, revealing he was unhappy with his work rate after a miss in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa: "A miss that I can accept. What is harder to accept, his behaviour after the chance. That miss is got too much in his head where he is the usual Darwin that works his a** off."
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, Andrew Robertson, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Jarell Quansah and Mohamed Salah Related
[Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool "could" offer swap deal to sign £40m+ England star](https://www.footballfancast.com/fabrizio-romano-liverpool-could-now-offer-swap-deal-to-sign-marc-guehi/ "Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool "could" offer swap deal to sign £40m+ England star")
The Reds are still seeking reinforcements.
The Dutchman, together with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, are seemingly determined to land a new number nine before the new campaign gets underway, and Romano has revealed the one they are currently going for.
Liverpool "working" on deal for Ekitike
Speaking on his YouTube channel on Monday evening, Romano revealed Liverpool are discussing a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Ekitike, though it does depend on what happens with Nunez.
"Liverpool are working on this deal, they are discussing the possibility of adding Hugo Ekitike to their squad.
"The idea of Liverpool is to have one more striker, they are waiting to understand what happens with Darwin Nunez with conversations ongoing with Napoli.
“Liverpool can add a new striker, so Hugo Ekitike remains a name on the list for the club."
Ekitike has scored 26 times in 64 appearances during his two years in Frankfurt, but really stepped up to an elite level in 2024/25, registering 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
The young Frenchman could be lethal in Liverpool's new look front line, as explained by scout/writer Counter Pressers on X: "Hugo Ekitike with Florian Wirtz behind him would be unstoppable. After years of watching Darwin Nunez, we deserve to watch someone of Ekitike’s technical level."
Indeed, the 23 year-old seems to have more nuance to his game than Liverpool's struggling star, averaging more passes at a higher completion rate and more dribbles than the former Benfica man, all while scoring more goals too.
Hugo Ekitike 24/25 - all competitons Darwin Nunez
0.48 Non-penalty goals per 90 0.34
0.29 Assists per 90 0.17
22.90 Passes per 90 18.41
75.3% Pass completion 69.1%
1.9 Succesful take-ons per 90 0.68
The former PSG starlet could transform Liverpool's status as champions into total domestic dominance if his relationship with Wirtz hits the ground running.