Liverpool Football Club are once again at the centre of a transfer storm that has gripped the football world. As the new Premier League season draws closer, all eyes are on Anfield. Fans around the globe are eager to know who will be leading the line for the Reds when the first whistle of the 2025/26 campaign blows. The noise surrounding Liverpool’s striking options has grown even louder after the club’s latest preseason outing—a solid win over Preston North End at Deepdale.
It was the kind of result that would normally go unnoticed—a simple preseason game against lower-league opposition—but in these times, every goal, every pass, every facial expression from Arne Slot and his players is scrutinised. Goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo gave Liverpool a comfortable victory. For Darwin Nunez, who has been under pressure for months, getting on the scoresheet was supposed to bring relief. But instead, questions about his future are growing even louder.
Nunez arrived at Anfield in 2022 with great fanfare and an £85 million price tag that could rise even higher with add-ons. At Benfica, he was a devastating finisher who seemed ready-made for the Premier League. Liverpool’s recruitment team believed he would be the perfect replacement for the ageing Roberto Firmino. The plan was for Nunez to become the main man in the middle, a player who could bully defenders, stretch backlines, and finish chances from all angles.
But the truth is Nunez’s time at Liverpool has been complicated. At times, he has shown flashes of brilliance, scoring spectacular goals, making clever runs, and energising the crowd with his fiery personality. He’s beloved by many fans who see in him a raw, untamed spirit reminiscent of Fernando Torres or Luis Suarez in their early Liverpool days. But there have also been too many games when Nunez seemed out of place, missing easy chances, failing to connect with teammates, and losing confidence in front of goal.
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new coach, inherited this puzzle when he arrived. Slot, who led Liverpool to a remarkable Premier League title last season, has made it clear that he wants a team that can dominate possession, press intelligently, and convert chances ruthlessly. While Nunez’s physical attributes make him dangerous, his finishing inconsistency and sometimes erratic decision-making make him a less natural fit for the style Slot wants to enforce.
That is why, even after lifting the Premier League trophy in May, Liverpool are not resting on their laurels. There is a sense at Anfield that the squad is strong but not complete. They have one of the best defences in the league. Virgil van Dijk remains a towering presence, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s creativity from right-back is unmatched, and Alisson Becker is arguably the world’s best goalkeeper. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have brought skill and energy. But up front, questions remain.
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Mohamed Salah is still their star, though he isn’t getting any younger. Diogo Jota, when fit, is a reliable goalscorer but has struggled with injuries. Cody Gakpo offers versatility but isn’t an out-and-out striker. And so the debate rages on: Is Darwin Nunez the man to lead Liverpool’s attack in the biggest games? Or do Liverpool need to spend big again?
This question has taken on new urgency as reports from Germany suggest that Eintracht Frankfurt are bracing for an offer from Liverpool for their €100 million-rated striker Hugo Ekitike. The 22-year-old French forward is no stranger to Liverpool’s radar. Back in 2022, when he left Reims for Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool were one of the clubs tracking his development. His time at PSG was turbulent. Despite his talent, he struggled for minutes in a star-studded squad and was loaned out to get more experience.
That experience has paid off handsomely at Eintracht Frankfurt. Last season, Ekitike was outstanding. He scored 22 goals and delivered 12 assists in all competitions. Those numbers tell only part of the story. Ekitike has developed into a complete centre-forward who can drop deep to link play, sprint in behind defences, and finish with both feet. He’s strong in the air and clever in the box. He’s also only 22, making him the kind of signing Liverpool love: young, talented, with his best years ahead of him.
Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that Eintracht Frankfurt would love to keep Ekitike, especially with Champions League football returning to the club. Frankfurt believe they need Ekitike to compete at the highest level. But they are also realistic. If a club comes in with the right offer—reportedly around €100 million—they will have no choice but to listen.
Liverpool are said to be the most serious suitors. Their interest is not new, but it appears to have escalated in recent weeks. Arne Slot wants another top-level striker. He wants someone who fits his pressing system, who can lead the line in tough away games, who can bury chances in tight matches. Ekitike ticks every box.
The situation is complicated by other clubs circling. Newcastle United have reportedly renewed their interest. Manchester United are also watching closely. Chelsea were linked but have cooled their pursuit after signing João Pedro. That leaves Liverpool with a clear opportunity—if they’re willing to pay.
Inside Anfield, the debate about whether to break the bank for Ekitike is fierce. Liverpool’s recruitment under Michael Edwards was famous for its discipline. They rarely overpaid, choosing instead to identify undervalued gems. But the modern transfer market is ruthless. The days of finding £30 million bargains who turn into world-beaters are getting rarer.
Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s new sporting director, knows this. He also knows Liverpool need to stay at the top. Winning the Premier League last season was a triumph, but the competition isn’t going to get easier. Manchester City will reload. Arsenal are buying aggressively. Manchester United want to return to the summit. Chelsea, despite their chaos, remain dangerous. Liverpool can’t stand still.
Some fans fear that spending €100 million on Ekitike is a gamble. What if he struggles to adapt to England, like he did in Paris? What if the pressure of the price tag affects him? But there is also the argument that this is exactly the sort of move a big club makes. You don’t stay at the top without taking risks.
Slot has given little away in public. He praised Nunez after the Preston game but stopped short of guaranteeing him a starting place. Instead, he talked about competition, about raising standards. Behind the scenes, it is understood Slot wants a new striker as a top priority.
The idea isn’t to replace Nunez immediately, but to have real options. Slot wants Liverpool to be able to change systems mid-game, to rest key players without a drop in quality, to compete on four fronts without burning out the squad. Last season Liverpool benefited from their depth in midfield, but in attack they often felt short of genuine options.
Beyond Ekitike, Liverpool have been linked with other forwards. Alexander Isak at Newcastle is admired, but Newcastle don’t want to sell. Victor Osimhen is one of Europe’s deadliest strikers, but Napoli’s asking price is even higher than Ekitike’s. Benjamin Sesko, the RB Leipzig forward, has also emerged as an option. Liverpool’s recruitment team is known for casting a wide net. They want the best talent, but they also want the best fit.
As preseason continues, the clock is ticking. Liverpool will want any new signing in early enough to integrate into the squad, learn Slot’s methods, and build chemistry with Salah, Jota, and the rest. This is especially important given the club’s ambitions for the new season. Winning the Premier League is the minimum goal. The Champions League remains the holy grail.
Ekitike himself has remained quiet. He is focused on Frankfurt for now but knows this summer could change his life. His agents are understood to be in regular contact with several clubs. Frankfurt are bracing for a decisive month. They hope to keep him, but they know football’s food chain is ruthless.
Meanwhile, Nunez is in an awkward spot. He has never hidden his love for Liverpool. He wants to succeed at Anfield. His work rate and passion have endeared him to many. But he also knows football is a business. If Liverpool receive a big offer for him, they might take it to fund Ekitike’s signing. There have already been rumours of interest from Italy and Spain. Liverpool’s fans are divided. Some want Nunez to be given more time. They remember how Luis Suarez took a year to truly explode in England. Others argue that Liverpool can’t wait. They want a finished product now, a striker who can deliver 25 goals a season without drama.
The debate will continue in pubs, on social media, and on radio phone-ins. But inside the club, decisions are being made. Richard Hughes has been working around the clock. Arne Slot has been holding meetings with his staff. Scouts have been filing reports, compiling data, analysing videos. The owners, Fenway Sports Group, have been weighing the financial side.
This summer could define Liverpool’s next five years. If they get it right, they could build a team to dominate England and Europe. If they get it wrong, they risk falling behind rivals who are also strengthening.
The sense among those close to the club is that Liverpool will make their move soon. Eintracht Frankfurt are expecting it. The player’s camp is waiting. And the fans? They’re waiting too. Watching every rumour, reading every update, hoping that by the end of August, Liverpool will have their man.
For now, the story continues to build. The transfer market is a game of poker, of bluff and counter-bluff. But Liverpool know they hold a strong hand. They’re Premier League champions. They’re one of the world’s most famous clubs. They have money to spend. And they have a manager with a clear vision.
It’s all about execution now. Will they pay the €100 million? Will they negotiate a lower price? Will someone else jump in at the last minute? These are the questions that will define Liverpool’s summer. For fans dreaming of another parade through the city, another famous European night at Anfield, another moment of glory in May, the hope is that the answer is yes. That Liverpool will go all-in, make the bid, and sign the striker who can take them to the next level.
