Reports growing that France star will replace Hugo Ekitike at Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool appear to have found their choice to replace Hugo Ekitike. It's another France star.

Hugo Ekitike will be gone for a while - maybe until the end of 2026. Liverpool, then, know they'll go into next season short on forwards unless they make some big moves.

But it's a tricky one. Can Liverpool afford to sign an out-and-out centre-forward who loses his place to Ekitike midway through next season? Almost certainly not.

Instead, they'll need to find a somewhat versatile forward who can operate with Ekitike when he's back. And it sounds as though they've found one.

Reports in Italy suggest Liverpool are in for Randal Kolo Muani. The player, currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, is expected to make a permanent move somewhere this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain want that to happen and, it seems, Kolo Muani is eager for it to happen, too. Tutto Juve reported at the weekend that Liverpool are interested and now Calciomercato.it reports the same.

Is this the right move, then? Kolo Muani is a talent but he's struggled badly with Spurs this season. Then again, everyone has struggled at Spurs and we know they're not all terrible players.

Liverpool essentially need a rotation option to cover Ekitike and Kolo Muani does fit the bill. This is one to watch over the coming months.

Randal Kolo Muani: Situation Summary

Tottenham Struggles and Exit Strategy

As of 21 April 2026, Randal Kolo Muani’s loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur has been widely labelled "disastrous." In 23 Premier League appearances, the 27-year-old has managed just one goal and one assist, contributing to Spurs' precarious 18th-place standing. Manager Roberto De Zerbi recently described the frontline's form as "atrocious" following a 2–2 draw with Brighton. Consequently, Kolo Muani has reportedly decided to leave North London this summer regardless of whether the club survives relegation, having already "said yes" to a permanent move elsewhere to escape the instability at the Vitality Stadium.

Transfer Race and PSG Stance

Paris Saint-Germain are ready to permanently part with the forward, who originally joined for €95 million, with reports on 20 April suggesting a baseline valuation of €22 million. Arne Slot has reportedly urged Liverpool to secure Kolo Muani as a replacement for the injured Hugo Ekitike, viewing him as a "bargain" redemption project. However, Juventus remains a serious contender; a potential swap deal involving Jonathan David heading to Paris is being discussed to facilitate Kolo Muani's return to Turin, where he enjoyed his most successful recent stint.