Liverpool's search for striker transfer targets has been a long and wide one which is still ongoing.
Options in the Premier League are slim and many of the standout names are currently in negotiations with teams who are attempting to pry them away. Until now, the Reds' attention has been elsewhere.
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The signing of Jeremie Frimpong and targets Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez have all taken precedence and the current understanding is that Liverpool may not even buy a striker now.
Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid has been a standout candidate for the club, alongside Newcastle's Alexander Isak, but both were seem as almost untouchable assets.
Now in a post-season interview, Diego Simeone has revealed his thoughts on the approaches his star striker has received.
'How can everyone not want him!'
Speaking to La Nacion, he said: "Everything is logical, I can't imagine any other scenario: Julian [Alvarez] is 25 years old, he's an extraordinary player, with hunger, with enthusiasm, with humility, with work, with goals, with hierarchy... How could everyone not want him?
"And Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, Liverpool... the best have to want him. And for us, Atletico fans, it should be a source of pride that everyone wants him. Why? Because he's ours. And since he's ours, we have to take care of him. We have to help him feel happy. How will he be happy? By winning.
"And to get there, we all have to give 110%. And not just for him, of course, but for everyone."
If there was every a rallying cry to the fans, denouncing rival club's attempts to sign Alvarez, then that was it - a firm and direct reminder that he is a player Atletico are unwilling to sell this summer.
And in fairness, it makes a hell of a lot of sense. The Argentinian is approaching the prime of his career, he only made the move from Manchester City last season and he's made 36 goals and assists in 54 games of his maiden season in Spain - if they can help it, he's not going anywhere.
Liverpool's last gasp hope of an Alvarez-led team under Arne Slot next season is now diminished.
The assumption is that Isak - another one of the Reds' perfect targets - is also unavailable, but for the time being, we still have an element of hope, even if we are being purposefully naive.
Viktor Gyokeres is the last real asset that is still available once we rest of the options are assessed. Manchester United are currently leading the race for him, but their financial state is questionable.
Joao Pedro is still a name that has promise, and Chelsea's appreciation for Hugo Ekitike has yet to materialise into a bid, meanwhile Jonathan David remains available on a free transfer - although the last we heard from him was Napoli's interest, which is likely to be serious at this point now.
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As such, we're in the dark with transfer targets for the striker role, so whoever Liverpool sign, if one is brought in, is still unknown. But there are still 11 weeks available for the club to conduct their transfer business, once the window re-opens on Monday June 16. For now, anything can happen.
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