Liverpool are now exploring a deal for a striker after making significant progress to sign Florian Wirtz.
Richard Hughes – Director of Football at Anfield – has already been busy before the transfer window even officially opens, with Liverpool close to signing Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool are also set to sign Wirtz from the Bundesliga outfit, while the Reds have agreed terms with Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth too ahead of what could be an eventful summer.
Despite this progress, Liverpool fans are concerned these deals will mean there is no money left for a new striker, a problem position for Arne Slot after Darwin Nunez and Jota scored a combined 11 Premier League goals this season.
However, a theory Jamie Carragher disclosed in April regarding a new striker could now happen as Liverpool begin talks to sign Hugo Ekitike.
Richard Hughes has listened after Jamie Carragher tipped Liverpool to pursue Hugo Ekitike
Sky Germany now report that Liverpool have opened talks to sign Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Frenchman has enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 campaign, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
In their first attack of the game, Frankfurt take the lead over Spurs thanks to Ekitike 😮💨
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/gBbX3tadbe
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 10, 2025
One of these goals came against Tottenham in the UEFA Europa League, a strike which led Carragher to back Ekitike to join Liverpool – a suggestion which the Reds seem to have adhered to.
Speaking on It’s Called Soccer, the man from Bootle said: “I don’t think they’ll absolutely break the bank. There’s the lad at Eintracht Frankfurt, who scored against Tottenham. Ekitike, that smacks to me as the type of player Liverpool would sign.
“He’s 22. He’s at a club you think would probably be a selling club. He’s done really well, he went to PSG as a young kid, it didn’t work out for him, but he’s still really young, great numbers this season. He looks to me the type of player Liverpool would sign instead of (someone more expensive like Alexander) Isak.”
Ekitike – who was called “very special” during his time at Reims – could still require Liverpool to “break the bank” to secure his signature, however.
How much Eintracht Frankfurt want for Hugo Ekitike with Chelsea also keen
Hughes may have to do some haggling, as Eintracht Frankfurt are demanding £84m to sell Ekitike this summer.
🇫🇷 Hugo Ekitiké, partition de soliste 🪄🤩#UEL | @hekitike9 pic.twitter.com/WGAOi8M4BU
— L'UEFA en français (@UEFAcom_fr) March 14, 2025
Unfortunately for Liverpool, Chelsea are also holding talks, so the German side will presumably be hopeful of pitting the Premier League duo against each other and sparking a bidding war.