Liverpool look all set to be in the market for a new central striker during the summer transfer window
The Reds have not struggled for goals this season but have come to be a little too reliant on Mohamed Salah to find the net.
With Salah’s future still up in the air heading into the final two months of the season, it’s clear that Liverpool must find a way to evolve their forward line.
For many supporters, the dream signing would be Newcastle United hitman Alexander Isak.
Although he would cost a huge amount, there is reportedly some confidence Liverpool can sign Isak this summer
Nevertheless, given the price and difficulty of getting the Swede out of Newcastle, it’s pertinent for Liverpool to have a back-up plan. And according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, that could well be Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike
Eintracht name Hugo Ekitike price
It isn’t hard to understand why Liverpool fans would love to sign Isak. The 25-year-old has proven himself as a regular goal scorer over three years in the Premier League.
However, with his price-tag set to run into the hundreds of millions, Liverpool could be priced out.
As a result, someone like Ekitike could be an interesting alternative. And as Plettenberg reports on X, the Reds are one of several clubs to have already taken a small step towards his signature.
“Eintracht Frankfurt are aware that Manchester United are seriously considering Hugo Ekitike as a potential transfer target for the upcoming summer,” says the journalist
“Arsenal (Isak remains the No. 1 target), Liverpool, and Juventus have also registered their interest.
“Eintracht firmly expect his departure, as reported. SGE are demanding €80m [£67m].”
How does Ekitike compare to Alexander Isak?
Ekitike and Isak will not be the only striking options Liverpool are considering this summer. As Rousing The Kop revealed in March, Benjamin Sesko is high on the Reds’ shortlist, too.
However, stylistically, it’s easy to draw greater comparisons between Ekitike and Isak, who both possess a languid yet ruthless profile.
Being three years younger than the Newcastle man – and also costing half as much – it’s clear to see why Ekitike has come onto the radar at Anfield.
In terms of goals, though, he is yet hit anything like the heights Isak has. To date, his current season is comfortably the former PSG man’s most prolific, with 19 goals.
With four goals in 33 appearances at PSG, and 11 in 29 at Reims prior to that, Ekitike would have to step things up considerably at Liverpool. By contrast, Isak has 23 this season and hit 25 in 2023/24, his own personal best