Liverpool should steer clear of a move for Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike and instead look to target Fiorentina talisman Moise Kean this summer as their new striker.
The Reds are expected to part ways with Darwin Nunez, following a dismal 2024/25 season that saw him register just seven goals in 47 appearances in all competitions. Eight starts in the league implies boss Arne Slot no longer considers the Uruguayan in his long-term plans, and Fabrizio Romano has noted that resolving his future and signing a new striker is on Liverpool's agenda.
Liverpool Should Avoid Ekitike Deal
Kean is a more feasible fit
As part of their search for Nunez's successor, Liverpool have been linked heavily to Ekitike, who has impressed in the Bundesliga this term.
He has scored 22 times in 48 outings for the German outfit, and reports suggest he could be available for a fee in the region of €100 million (£84 million), as revealed by Ben Jacobs to GIVEMESPORT.
But Liverpool are already poised to smash their club-record transfer fee for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz this summer, and have submitted an official offer close to the £110 million mark, per David Ornstein. With a £30 million deal already completed for Jeremie Frimpong at right-back, and a transfer in the works for Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez, Liverpool could be pushing the boundaries with their spending this summer already.
Some reports indicateLuis Diaz could depart this summer, which would leave Slot short for options on the flanks. Liverpool would be wise to avoid investing huge fees on Ekitike, as it would enable them to spend appropriately in other positions where needed as well.
Moise Kean vs Hugo Ekitike - 2024/25 Statistics comparison
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Instead, the Merseyside club should target Fiorentina's Kean, who reportedly has a £44 million release clause inserted in his contract. A scintillating 2024/25 season saw him rank second in the race for the Serie A Golden Boot with 19 goals, and he served up a further three assists as well.
Dubbed "exceptional", Kean struggled previously in his first spell in the Premier League with Everton in 2019/20, but he has come by leaps and bounds since with his development and the 25-year-old could be an affordable but effective solution to Liverpool's striker woes.
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Statistics courtesy of FBRef.com - Correct as of 01/06/2025