Richard Hughes narrows Liverpool's new striker search to TWO names | OneFootball

Liverpool are not standing still despite winning the 2024/25 Premier League title. Reinforcements are being sought for Arne Slot’s squad - with Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez to be confirmed as new Liverpool players in the near future.

Those two will join recent arrivals Jeremie Frimpong and Armin Pecsi - with sporting director Richard Hughes wasting no time finding replacements for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Caoimhin Kelleher respectively.

But there is still work to be done. We could see the Reds sign a new centre-back - amid considerable disruption in the position this summer - and we mustn’t rule out a new midfielder either.

Perhaps the next great priority in the squad once Wirtz and Kerkez are onboarded however is a new centre-forward. Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota collectively endured a tough season - despite ending the campaign as title winners.

Liverpool seeking new No9

Anfieldwatch revealed as early as February that the club were seeking improvements in the No9 department and since then several star names have been linked.

Jonathan David, Joao Pedro and Victor Osimhen are just a sample of names in the frame tipped for an Anfield arrival. And a new report in the Liverpool Echo confirms the top TWO striker targets ahead of the window opening once again.

“Liverpool are huge fans of Newcastle United's Alexander Isak and are monitoring the situation of Hugo Ekitike at Eintracht Frankfurt, although both have initially been valued at £85m and beyond,” a report from Ian Doyle reads.

© IMAGO

Liverpool want Isak or Ekitike

Isak, 25, has established himself as one of the finest strikers around - scoring 23 times as Newcastle fought their way back into the Champions League.

He is under contract until 2028 and it’s going to take a monumental pay rise in order for the Sweden international to renew. If no agreement is reached then the Magpies’ chances of keeping him could be jeopardised.

Recent reports meanwhile suggest the Reds haven’t given up hope although Newcastle are thought to be seeking in excess of £120m if Isak goes.

© IMAGO - Hugo Ekitike Liverpool

Darwin Nunez to leave Liverpool

Ekitike, meanwhile, is a 22-year-old forward who is coming off the back of a productive season in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Frenchman hit 22 goals in all competitions last season and is very familiar to Liverpool recruiters - who have had him on the list since his days as a teenage prospect at Stade Reims.

Outgoings will be required before Arne Slot gets to work with a new striker - and Darwin’s options appear to be narrowing.

The 25-year-old is tipped to end up at Napoli, AC Milan or Atletico Madrid - with Liverpool seeking to get a return on the £85m fee they paid to Benfica back in 2022.

Jota, 28, is out of contract in 2027 and has been linked with Saudi Arabian clubs as well as Aston Villa and Wolves.

If Hughes manages to earn £100m or so on that pair, it could free up a significant cash pot that could then be spent on a new forward - either Isak or Ektike.