Liverpool have been linked with a whole host of players already this summer, despite the transfer window not even being fully open yet.
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Liverpool’s Transfer Business Is Heating Up – But Is Hugo Ekitike Really the Answer Up Front?
Jeremie Frimpong’s already through the door, and it looks like the deals for Florian Wirtz and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez aren’t far behind. Quietly, Liverpool are doing serious work in the market – and each move feels like it’s plugging a very specific hole in Arne Slot’s new-look Reds.
Frimpong coming in was almost inevitable the second Trent packed his bags for Madrid. That right side needed addressing fast, and Frimpong ticks the box – rapid, aggressive, and not afraid to bomb forward. But don’t sleep on Kerkez or Wirtz, either. Slot clearly wants to freshen things up in key areas, and these two could prove massive next season.
Now, while those deals are looking tidy, there’s a big elephant still loitering in the Anfield room – the number nine. With Darwin Núñez’s future up in the air (again), Liverpool are clearly on the hunt for a reliable striker. Enter: Hugo Ekitike.
Well, sort of.
The Frenchman’s name has been doing the rounds lately, and to be fair, he’s had a solid season at Frankfurt. Rumours say both Liverpool and Chelsea are sniffing around, but a few red flags are popping up. Speaking on The Rest is Football, Micah Richards mentioned Thierry Henry’s take on Ekitike – and let’s just say, it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
“Not frustrating, but…” – you know it’s not glowing when it starts like that. One moment, Ekitike looks the part, electric and sharp. The next, he’s struggling with the basics. Thierry did say his ceiling is sky-high – if he puts it all together. But how many times have we heard that before?
For Liverpool, the bigger question is fit. Do Slot’s Reds need a striker who stretches the pitch like Ekitike? Or someone who drops in, links play, and keeps things ticking – more Firmino than flyer? Because if Wirtz does arrive, you’d think they’d want someone who complements that kind of technical, interchanging style.
Look, Ekitike isn’t bad on the ball, but he’s not that guy who drops into midfield and knits things together. If Liverpool are genuinely going all-in on Wirtz, Szoboszlai, and Diaz, it feels like they need a striker who can dovetail with those three – not just run in behind.
Then there’s the price tag. £100 million? For one good season? That’s a steep fee for a player who, let’s be honest, is still proving himself. And with Alexander Isak reportedly top of Liverpool’s list – though Newcastle’s Champions League spot might complicate that – it’s hard to justify splashing that kind of cash on Ekitike.
Factor in the Wirtz deal, which could also smash the £100m mark, and suddenly Liverpool’s transfer budget starts looking stretched. Slot might fancy Ekitike, but as things stand, he feels like a gamble – and one that could cost us more than it’s worth.
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