Fresh off their 2024/25 Premier League title triumph, Liverpool now face a period of transition—marked by tragedy and pressing squad needs. The heartbreaking deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025, have shaken the club to its core and left a significant void in the frontline.
While unconfirmed reports circulated about a separate incident involving Liverpool players on July 10, no official details have emerged. What is certain, however, is that Liverpool have now made strengthening their attack a top priority, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike emerging as a primary target.
The 23-year-old French striker is being viewed as a potential replacement for Darwin Núñez, who is edging closer to a move to Napoli. Liverpool rejected an initial €55 million bid (plus €5 million in bonuses) from the Italian club, holding out for closer to £70 million.
Ekitike enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 season, scoring 22 goals in 48 matches. His skill set—marked by dribbling flair, sharp finishing, and high football IQ—fits well with Arne Slot’s possession-focused system. As of July 9, reports indicate that Liverpool are weighing up a €100 million offer for the striker. According to Fabrizio Romano, Ekitike’s move hinges on the outcome of Núñez’s departure.
The Frenchman is reportedly open to the move and sees Liverpool as a long-term destination.
Despite key moments like his match-winning double against Brentford, Núñez’s inconsistency saw him fall out of Slot’s preferred starting lineup. He ended the 2024/25 campaign with just five Premier League goals and has tallied 40 goals in 143 appearances since his £85 million arrival from Benfica in 2022.
Napoli see him as the heir to Victor Osimhen, who is rumored to be heading to Galatasaray for €75 million, though they’re also monitoring more affordable alternatives like Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca.
Liverpool view Ekitike as a more polished and tactically compatible option than Núñez. With 26 goals and 14 assists in 64 appearances for Frankfurt, Ekitike brings efficiency and a better fit for Slot’s system.
His potential arrival would complement Liverpool’s recent acquisitions, including Joao Pedro and possibly Florian Wirtz—their marquee signing this summer.
Although Newcastle’s Alexander Isak has been on Liverpool’s radar, his £100 million-plus valuation complicates any move. Victor Osimhen is another name in the mix but not a top target for Slot. Meanwhile, speculation around a swap deal involving Núñez and Federico Chiesa remains unconfirmed.
With Jota’s tragic loss and Núñez likely on his way out, Liverpool are suddenly lacking experienced options up front. As they prepare for their pre-season friendly against Preston on July 13, bringing in a forward like Ekitike could prove vital in maintaining their domestic dominance and European ambitions.
