Liverpool transfer news as one player gives the “green light” for an exit, and Arne Slot could turn to Hugo Ekitike in his search for an upgrade as number nine.
Liverpool has already confirmed the signings of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Armin Pecsi, while Milos Kerkez could follow them through the door at the AXA Training Centre today.
Arne Slot and his sporting director, Richard Hughes, have been working hard behind the scenes to get deals over the line and it’s shaping up to be another busy week. In terms of incomings, there have already been multiple moves, while Nat Phillips has secured a permanent move to West Brom and Jarell Quansah is closing in on a switch to Bayer Leverkusen.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. Hugo Ekitike is once again being linked with a move to the Premier League.
Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Liverpool has been in regular contact with the representatives of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Ekitike, according to Fabrizio Romano. Arne Slot is looking for an upgrade at number nine and there are not many elite options out there.
Alexander Isak might be a dream target and Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez would represent another elite addition, but it remains to be seen whether either are realistic. Ekitike is among those in the next rung down.
Last season, Ekitike scored 22 times for Eintracht Frankfurt in all competitions. His club wants a fee of as much as $115 million (£85 million), though, which has so far not proven tempting amid interest from several teams including Chelsea.
Liverpool.com says: For a lower fee, Ekitike could be worth a look. At more than $100M, though, it simply shouldn’t be something that Liverpool considers. That would not be good value in the slightest.
Darwin Nunez latest
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has given his “green light” to Napoli ahead of a possible move to the Serie A champions this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 25-year-old is expected to leave this summer, and he also has interest from Saudi Arabia.
A move to Italy, though, would likely be much more appealing to Nunez than the Saudi Pro League. He has also been linked with Atletico Madrid and AC Milan, though Napoli now appears to be the frontrunner.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
While Nunez might be keen on Napoli, it would have to agree a fee with Liverpool. Even though it is the right time for Nunez to move on, he won’t be doing so on the cheap.