“I Don’t See it” – Journalist Rules Out Liverpool’s Move for £86m Striker | OneFootball

Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool? Why the Rumour Doesn’t Add Up

Liverpool’s name will always be linked with high-profile talents, especially when transfer windows loom large. But not every rumour carries the same weight, and when seasoned voices start to question the logic of a move, it’s worth sitting up and listening.

In a recent conversation with Dave Davis, respected journalist David Lynch cast serious doubt over the Reds’ reported interest in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike – and his analysis offers a clear-eyed take on the narrative many fans have run away with.

Concerns Over Ekitike’s Readiness

Ekitike is undeniably talented, but talent alone doesn’t justify a price tag north of £86 million. Liverpool, under the new stewardship of Arne Slot, will be evolving – but there remains a discernible method to how they build.

Lynch was candid in his assessment: “I don’t see it at all. I’ve been sceptical about this move for a while now and I think he’s definitely someone Liverpool will be keeping an eye on but in terms of them progressing with it, I’m getting increasingly sceptical.”

There’s a difference between monitoring a player and being ready to commit significant resources. And that’s where much of this talk feels speculative rather than strategic.

From Nunez to Ekitike? Not Logical

Let’s be clear: Darwin Nunez remains a polarising figure. His explosive pace and unpredictability offer chaos in the final third, yet inconsistency remains a shadow over his game. However, suggesting that Hugo Ekitike, who is even less proven at top-level football, could be a viable alternative borders on fantasy.

As Lynch put it, “He’s so raw and to go from Darwin Nunez to him would be like going out the frying pan and into the fire with him.” This isn’t just colourful language – it’s a blunt footballing truth. Replacing one erratic forward with another who’s even less tested, especially in the intensity of the Premier League, doesn’t align with the club’s historically shrewd recruitment.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool have shown time and again that they invest in players when the data, character and timing all align. It’s no coincidence they were patient with Diogo Jota and shrewd with the timing of Cody Gakpo’s arrival. Ekitike doesn’t seem to fit that pattern – not yet, at least.

Agent-Driven Noise or Genuine Interest?

Lynch’s remarks also peeled back the curtain on how transfer narratives often emerge. “I haven’t been given any encouragement on the name by anyone on Liverpool’s side, so I’m not convinced,” he admitted, before adding: “I know a lot of the talk is agent driven and if Liverpool had decided that they were his priority, they would be wanting all of this talk to not be out there.”

That’s a critical insight into how modern football operates. Agents often use big names like Liverpool to inflate interest or price tags – especially when a young player’s future is uncertain. If the Reds were genuinely chasing Ekitike, it’s far more likely they’d be working under the radar, as they have with so many previous deals.

Slot, alongside the club’s data-focused recruitment team, will not be swayed by hype. In fact, any suggestion of a £100 million outlay on a striker with limited top-tier experience seems diametrically opposed to how FSG have historically operated.

Photo: IMAGO

Strategic Rebuild, Not Reactive Spending

It’s worth contextualising all of this in the wider picture. Liverpool are entering a new era post-Klopp, with Slot tasked with building on the German’s legacy. That rebuild will be methodical, considered, and – above all – smart. There’s no rush to splash for the sake of headlines.

Lynch’s scepticism mirrors what many in and around Liverpool have quietly sensed: Ekitike might be on the radar, but he’s not the solution. Not now, and not at that price.

In a summer that could define Slot’s Liverpool tenure, prioritising ready-made players who can seamlessly fit into the club’s tactical and cultural ecosystem will be key. If Ekitike ever becomes that player, it won’t be on the back of tabloid whispers or agent-fuelled chatter.

For now, fans would do well to focus less on the rumour mill and more on the steady evolution of a squad designed to compete – not chase shadows.