It’s no secret that Liverpool are eyeing up a new centre-forward in this summer’s transfer window. Several star names have been linked - including Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
One issue regarding those two strikers is thatthe asking price is spiralling out of control. Eintracht Frankfurt won’t settle for anything less than £84m for Ekitike while Newcastle’s price for Isak is said to stand at around £150m.
READ MORE:Fabrizio Romano confirms 'agreement is done' for record-breaking Liverpool deal
With up to £126m going on Florian Wirtz, Liverpool could do with a cut-price option to come in as No9.
Darwin Nunez will probably LEAVE - with Liverpool ready to accept appropriate bids - and that should give sporting director Richard Hughes plenty of spending money to play with for a replacement.
EXCLUSIVE: Wonderkid will join Liverpool first team in pre-season
And there could well be an opportunity to add Premier League-proven quality at a FRACTION of the cost of Ekitike or Isak.
Liverpool admire Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro, 23, is being touted for a summer sale. The Brighton frontman has been at the club since 2023 butthe Seagulls now appear ready to cash in.
Liverpool are long-term admirers of the Brazilian, with FSG’s CEO of Football Michael Edwards having his eye on Joao Pedro since his teenage years.
The former Fluminense academy product moved to Watford before embarking on his spell at Brighton, who he joined for around £30m.
He’s got a unique combination of craft and finishing ability, marking him out as a potentially smart acquisition for the Reds’ recruitment team.
© IMAGO
Joao Pedro available for £50m to £60m
Liverpool are going to have to compete with Newcastle for his signature with the North East side now once again flush with Champions League cash.
In an item discussing Newcastle’s mooted bid for Joao Pedro, it was revealed in Football Insider that Brighton would ask for between £50m and £60m for their prize asset.
That is a far cry from the sums asked for both Ekitike and Isak - giving suitors plenty of encouragement to head into talks with Brighton.
“A bid of around £50-60million would be accepted by the south coast club – who have established a reputation for banking huge profits in the transfer market,” the report reads.
Joao Pedro scored 10 goals in 27 Premier League outings last season and also added six assists.
READ MORE: Agent confirms star player has signed five year deal with Liverpool
There is little doubt that the robust forward would provide ideal foil for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz in the Liverpool attack, while also getting in on the goalscoring act himself.