Liverpool are still on the hunt to find the perfect striker to potentially play ahead of Florian Wirtz next season.
Wirtz is on the verge of joining Liverpool after another spectacular season for Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso.
Liverpool are parting with significant funds for Wirtz’s signature, but the club are thought to be in a very healthy financial situation following their success this season.
Therefore, fans will hope that there are still funds available to sign a Darwin Nunez replacement this summer — a number nine who Arne Slot didn’t quite get the best of during his first season at Anfield.
Nunez could leave Liverpool over the next few months, meaning there will be ample room for a new goalscorer on Merseyside.
Liverpool are in talks to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt
That being said, German journalist Florian Plettenberg is now reporting that Liverpool are ‘seriously’ in the race to sign Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool have been scouting Ekitike a lot of late, a striker who is on the radar of several elite clubs across Europe.
Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images
READ MORE: Ilkay Gundogan has already told Florian Wirtz what he needs to achieve to become ‘world-class’ at Liverpool
In fact, Jamie Carragher thought Liverpool would sign Ekitike as their Alexander Isak alternative, who is set to stay at Newcastle United.
And now Plettenberg has reported that Liverpool have held talks with the €100m (£84m) striker after receiving the go ahead from Slot.
Plettenberg shared on X: “The next big target from the Bundesliga: Understand FC Liverpool are now seriously in the race for Hugo Ekitike!
“Talks have taken place. Slot/Edwards keen on him. The biggest rival at the moment: Chelsea.
“Eintracht Frankfurt have not yet received an offer. Markus Krosche still demands €100 million.”
🚨🆕 The next big target from the Bundesliga: Understand FC Liverpool are now seriously in the race for Hugo #Ekitike!
Talks have taken place. Slot/Edwards keen on him. The biggest rival at the moment: Chelsea.
Eintracht Frankfurt have not yet received an offer. Markus Krösche… pic.twitter.com/aCflXT3QYU
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 28, 2025
View Tweet
Can Liverpool afford a new striker after Florian Wirtz?
As mentioned, Liverpool are already somewhat committed to a significant outlay this summer given they are also chasing deals for Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez in addition to Wirtz.
And as a result, FSG might force Liverpool to sell players in order to finance a move for a new striker, perhaps someone like Ekitike.
But with Nunez linked with a move away from Anfield among plenty of others, perhaps it is feasible that Liverpool can reshuffle their squad to sign a superstar striker.
Budget options are available for Liverpool, but it would be a shame if their project wasn’t spearheaded by a talent befitting of Slot’s ideas next season.
Ekitike is ready to leave Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool’s project should appeal to the striker no end.