Liverpool have broken their duck in this summer’s transfer market after announcing the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong on Friday.
The Reds wasted no time sealing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement after the right-back confirmed a move to Real Madrid on the same day.
And while there is excitement over what Frimpong can offer Liverpool moving forward, the more eye-catching deals of the summer are still on the way at Anfield.
Reports have suggested that Florian Wirtz is waiting for a Liverpool medical after the Reds submitted a second offer to sign him on Friday.
And while Wirtz’s potential arrival is incredibly exciting news for supporters, Liverpool are unlikely to stop there.
Arne Slot is also on the hunt for a new starting striker. And after concrete links to Hugo Ekitike emerged during the week, a favourite to sign the Frenchman has now been reported.
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Chelsea lead Liverpool in Hugo Ekitike race
With Liverpool willing to spend so much on Wirtz, there had been some suggestion that the German could be bought to play as a centre-forward next season.
However, writing in his Fact Files column, journalist Christian Falk claims that part of the reason Wirtz has been so set on joining Liverpool is that Slot has promised to play him in his favoured No. 10 role.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
“The decisive factor in his decision was that Arne Slot offered him ownership of the number 10 role at Liverpool,” says Falk. “In Munich, he would have had to share this with Jamal Musiala. The talks with the coaches were decisive.”
Furthermore, Falk goes on to say that Liverpool are still in the market for a No. 9, with Ekitike one of the candidates. According to the German reporter, though, the Reds currently trail Chelsea in that particular race.
READ MORE: New Liverpool signing Jeremie Frimpong names the player he is desperate to form a good link-up with at Anfield
“Chelsea hold the advantage over Liverpool for Hugo Ekitike,” he claims. “Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal were previously considered the top favourites for Hugo Ekitike. But the three-man competition has now turned into a two-club battle.”
“At the moment, Chelsea, who qualified for the Champions League in fourth place, hold the best cards in the Ekitike poker.
“Chelsea are already in dialogue with the player’s side and could soon get serious. But Liverpool are also still in the race, despite the upcoming record transfer of Florian Wirtz.”
Who are Liverpool’s alternatives?
Liverpool battling Chelsea for a new signing has not usually ended well for the Reds over recent years. And we’d suggest that if this one looks like going the same way, it could mean that Liverpool are not making Ekitike their top target.
Appearances Goals Assists
Hugo Ekitike 2024/25 48 22 12
The fact remains that they do need a new centre-forward, though, so it will be fascinating to see who they turn to instead.
As Falk alludes to, Arsenal have left the £84m Ekitike race because they are going all in on Benjamin Sesko. Meanwhile, it is fairly clear that Alexander Isak is not available.
Viktor Gyokeres could still be an option, but it feels probable that if the Swede were Liverpool’s top target, they would have made some progress there already.
As a result, there is a distinct feeling that Liverpool may have another surprise up their sleeve here. It would be a shame to lose out on Ekitike, especially to Chelsea, but the Reds will have their alternative plan ready.