🔴 Liverpool Push for New No. 9 as Isak & Ekitike Emerge as Top Targets
Liverpool’s aggressive summer rebuild under Arne Slot continues, with the club now shifting its focus to securing a clinical striker to lead the line for the 2025/26 season.
Following the high-profile arrivals of Florian Wirtz (£116m), Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, the Reds are eyeing a marquee forward to complete their attacking setup.
🎯 Top Targets Identified: Isak & Ekitike
- Alexander Isak (Newcastle United): The Swedish international, fresh off a 23-goal Premier League campaign, is firmly on Liverpool’s radar. However, Newcastle’s hefty valuation and reluctance to sell may complicate negotiations.
- Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt): According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool remain in strong contention to land the 23-year-old French striker, who scored 22 goals in 48 games last season.
💸 Valuation & Market Race
Ekitike is valued at €100 million (£86 million) — a massive jump from the €16.5 million Frankfurt paid to sign him permanently from PSG. Frankfurt, who are preparing for Champions League football, want to keep the forward but anticipate serious offers in July.
👥 Competition Heating Up
- Chelsea have dropped out of the race following the £60m signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton.
- Manchester United remain interested after signing Matheus Cunha for £62.5m but cannot offer Champions League football — a major draw Liverpool can provide.
- Newcastle United, despite already having Isak, are monitoring Ekitike as well — a move that could influence Liverpool’s leverage in talks for Isak.
🔍 What This Means for Liverpool
With Darwin Núñez nearing a move to Napoli, Liverpool’s need for a versatile, high-output striker has intensified. Slot wants a forward who can seamlessly complement Wirtz, Salah, and Gakpo — and both Ekitike and Isak fit the profile.
As the Reds aim to challenge on all fronts next season, landing the right No. 9 could be the final — and most critical — piece of the puzzle.
