Darwin Nunez has been inconsistent for three years at Liverpool while Diogo Jota’s injuries have got in the way of a strong season for the Portugal forward, even though he started out as Arne Slot’s favored pick through the middle.
Since then, Luis Diaz has spent a lot of time down the center with Cody Gakpo establishing himself on the left flank— the position he excelled in for his previous club, PSV. And heading into the summer, bringing in a new striker therefore appears to be something that should be prioritized.
The dream option for most people? Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. However, it is thought that the Magpies are refusing to put a price tag on his head — other reports (including in beIN Sports) have claimed it would take at least $194 million (£150 million) for the St James’ Park hierarchy to come to the table.
That, clearly, would be a huge investment that it seems unlikely Liverpool would make, and if Newcastle makes the Champions League spots then it would only be even harder to prise Isak away. Instead, here are three other players to consider…
Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Ekitike has been in sensational form in Germany. Previously at PSG, a team that has since pivoted to focusing much more on young talents like him, Ekitike failed to break into the starting XI with the French giant after a move from Reims.
In the Bundesliga, though, he has looked like a completely different level of player. Ekitike has scored 19 goals and provided eight assists for his club teammates in all competitions and he scored a hat-trick against England U21s in a friendly during the international break.
Frankfurt paid PSG just $18 million (£14 million) to sign Ekitike after a successful loan spell. He is expected to move on again this summer with a suggested price tag of $87 million (£67 million) — at 22, he could be just about to really explode.
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Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
Leaving Manchester City because he couldn’t get game time ahead of Erling Haaland, the Argentine is exactly what you need from a number nine. He scores goals and he presses and links the play up brilliantly.
The only issue with Alvarez is that he cost Atletico Madrid around $106 million (£82 million) last summer and the clubs wants to keep him. The South American would therefore cost an absolute fortune to get out of his current contract.
(Image: Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)
Linked most heavily with a move to Arsenal, RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko would be treading a very familiar path by moving from the Bundesliga outfit to the Premier League. At 21, the 1.95-meter forward has a lot of potential.
With a $76 million (£59 million) release clause, Sesko has scored 17 goals and provided six assists so far this season and looks primed to make a move elsewhere in the summer. Manchester United is also said to be among the possible destinations for him.
In terms of who Liverpool targets, much will depend on the kind of forward that Arne Slot wants. So far, he has been working with the group of players he inherited — Federico Chiesa aside — but he will soon get the chance to put even more of his own stamp on things. A new number nine should be at the heart of the plan.
