Liverpool’s summer transfer plans became a touch clearer after Mohamed Salah signed his new contract on Friday.
For a time it had looked as though the Reds would be needing to find a replacement for Salah on top of everything else on the list
However, with the Egyptian staying put and Virgil van Dijk set to sign a new deal as well, Liverpool can now focus in on exactly what they need to bolster in the window.
In many fans’ eyes, the two clear priorities are improving at left-back and signing a new starting central striker.
The latter is clearly the more exciting of the two, with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak installed as Liverpool’s top target.
But while Rousing The Kop understands Liverpool are confident in their chances of landing Isak, it is far from a given that he leaves Newcastle. As a result, the Reds need a back-up. And according to journalist Alex Crook, they’ve got a very good one.
Liverpool keen on Hugo Ekitike as Alexander Isak alternative
Isak is the clear choice for Liverpool this summer after another excellent season with Newcastle.
However, the Swede is likely to cost an enormous fee – if he’s available at all – and the Reds will be more than prepared if things don’t fall into place.
And speaking to TalkSPORT on Friday, Crook suggested Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike could well be the one Liverpool turn to in the even Isak remains on Tynseside.
“I think they’ll still go for Alexander Isak to try and pry him away from Newcastle this summer,” the journalist predicted.
If they can’t get him, I know they’re fans of Hugo Ekitike, who scored last night [Thursday] against Spurs. I think it is still going to be a big summer.
“They want another centre-back regardless of if Van Dijk and Konate both commit their futures. They’ve kept their powder dry in the last two transfer windows so I expect them to go big.”
How does Ekitike compare with Isak?
If Isak is available this summer, RTK understands Liverpool will try and push for a deal.
But even if the 25-year-old is keen on the move, Newcastle will demand an eye-watering amount to let him go. That may not be reachable for Liverpool.
In terms of an alternative, Ekitike would look like a good bet. As he showed against Spurs in the Europa League on Thursday, he bares plenty of similarities to Isak.
The Frenchman is not as prolific as his counterpart, but his strike at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was his 20th of the season. Isak has 24.
At 22 Ekitike is three years younger than the Sweden international and has more room to develop. With reports from Germany claiming Eintracht will demand around £67m for Ekitike, he would also be half the price of Isak.