While Liverpool is near-certain to win the Premier League title this season, there are a few areas of the Reds’ roster that could do with an upgrade this summer.
Arne Slot and his sporting director, Richard Hughes, have had enough time to assess the players who were there when they arrived. And a year on from signing only Federico Chiesa, things should be busier this time around— which means the gossip columns are only going to get even more packed with names.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds. Both players, strangely, play for the same team at the moment: Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle are all chasing Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, who scored a hat-trick for France U21s against England U21s last week, according to Caught Offside. He has scored 19 goals this season.
However, the former PSG talent has revealed that he is a Manchester United fan, which could potentially influence any transfer decision. Ruben Amorim definitely needs some new players when the transfer window opens.
In an interview with Eintracht Frankfurt’s YouTube channel, Ekitike said Manchester United was his “favorite” club as a child. He is expected to move on again this summer with a price tag of $87 million (£67 million) — even more than Manchester City paid the same club for Omar Marmoush in January.
Liverpool.com says: Ekitike looks like the kind of forward that would improve Arne Slot’s forward line. The first thing that needs sorting out, though, is tying Mohamed Salah down to a new deal.
Hugo Larsson (Eintracht Frankfurt)
That’s right. Not just two players called Hugo, but two from Eintracht Frankfurt too. Liverpool has been linked with a number of players during the international break but the name Hugo Larsson has cropped up a few times.
According to Sky Germany, Manchester City has entered initial talks for the Swedish midfielder amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal. The 20-year-old is valued at around $65 million (£50 million).
Liverpool.com says: Larssen looks like a good player but that is a lot of money to spend on a position that seemingly isn’t a top priority. Liverpool needs a left-back and a number nine and then ideally someone who can step in and relieve the pressure on Ryan Gravenberch to play every minute of almost every meaningful game.
