Fresh off their 2024/25 Premier League triumph, Liverpool have entered a period of significant transition—shaped both by the heartbreaking loss of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a tragic car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025, and by an urgent need to reinforce their forward line.
While rumors swirled about a separate incident involving players outside Anfield on July 10, no official confirmations have been made. Regardless, Liverpool’s immediate focus has clearly turned toward acquiring a top-tier striker, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike emerging as the primary target.
The 23-year-old French striker is now viewed as a leading candidate to replace Darwin Núñez, who is edging closer to a move to Napoli. The Italian side had a €55 million bid (plus €5 million in potential bonuses) rejected, as Liverpool are holding out for a valuation closer to £70 million.
Ekitike’s standout 2024/25 season—22 goals in 48 appearances—has made him an ideal fit for new manager Arne Slot’s system. His agility, intelligent movement, and sharp finishing align well with Liverpool’s evolving, possession-heavy style of play.
Reports as of July 9 indicate that Liverpool are weighing up a €100 million move for Ekitike. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the club’s pursuit hinges on Núñez’s departure being finalized. Encouragingly for the Reds, Ekitike is reportedly willing to wait for the move, viewing Liverpool as a long-term project.
Though Núñez had flashes of brilliance—such as his dramatic late goals against Brentford that reignited Liverpool’s title charge—his inconsistency was costly. He ended the Premier League campaign with just five goals, and was frequently left out of Slot’s preferred XI. Since arriving from Benfica for £85 million in 2022, Núñez has recorded 40 goals in 143 appearances.
Napoli see him as the ideal heir to Victor Osimhen, who is expected to join Galatasaray in a €75 million deal. Still, the Italian club is also considering more affordable alternatives, including Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca.
For Liverpool, Ekitike represents a more composed and tactically adaptable option than Núñez. With 26 goals and 14 assists in 64 games for Frankfurt, his stats show a well-rounded and efficient forward. His arrival would complement other summer additions like João Pedro, and possibly Florian Wirtz—Liverpool’s marquee signing of the window.
While Alexander Isak remains a long-standing target, Newcastle’s demands of over £100 million make a deal unlikely. Victor Osimhen is also admired by the Reds but isn’t viewed as a priority by Slot. Speculation continues around a possible swap involving Núñez and Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, but nothing concrete has materialized.
With the sudden loss of Jota and Núñez likely on his way out, Liverpool are thin on experienced attacking options. As they prepare to face Preston in their pre-season fixture on July 13, securing a proven forward like Ekitike may be crucial—not only for defending their league crown, but for staying competitive on all fronts in the coming season.
