Even better than Ekitike: Liverpool open dialogue to sign £85m striker

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) indeed delivered on their promise of significant summer spending. Liverpool fans were bracing for a busy transfer window, and the Anfield club has already surpassed the £200m expenditure mark before July began.

The team`s full-back issues have been resolved with the acquisitions of Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. Additionally, sporting director Richard Hughes oversaw the breaking of Liverpool`s transfer record by signing Florian Wirtz for £100m plus £16m in add-ons, a deal that will make the German the most expensive player in British football history.

However, Liverpool`s transfer business isn`t finished. While Jarell Quansah`s summer sale to Bayer Leverkusen will free up space in central defence, and talks are ongoing for Crystal Palace`s Marc Guehi, many supporters believe the attacking line is the area most in need of reinforcement.

Assuming Darwin Nunez completes his expected move to Napoli, Hughes will need to find a key striker to lead the line for the Premier League champions next season and beyond.

Latest on Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool requires a striker, and one potential candidate who could arrive in the autumn is Eintracht Frankfurt`s Hugo Ekitike.

The 23-year-old French forward had a tremendous breakout season in Germany, leading analyst Ben Mattinson to describe him as `one of the best strikers out there.`

Liverpool has been preparing a bid for Ekitike for some time, but FSG is understandably hesitant given Die Adler`s £85m valuation of their star player.

While this fee is considerably more affordable than Newcastle United`s Alexander Isak, who could cost a potential buyer £200m this summer, it`s still quite high for a club that has already invested heavily in new talent.

So, who should they target? Ekitike is talented, as the graphic illustrates, but he may not be as complete or polished as another transfer target who could be available for a significantly more modest cost.

Liverpool Hold Talks for Ekitike Alternative

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool remains in the running for Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres, who is almost certain to leave Portugal this summer following a breakdown in relationships at his current club.

In fact, the Reds are among the clubs that have opened discussions with Sporting, seeking information on the striker as he prepares for a potential move.

Arsenal and Manchester United currently appear to have an advantage in the race, but if Liverpool escalates their interest, Arne Slot could potentially secure a top-tier marksman for the 2025/26 season.

Gyokeres is expected to be available for a fee lower than his €100m (£85m) release clause, with the Liga Portugal champions hoping to receive €80m (£68m) for their number nine.

What Viktor Gyokeres Would Bring to Liverpool

While £68m is still a significant sum, Gyokeres` performances over the last couple of years suggest Liverpool would get excellent value for their money.

After joining the Portuguese club from Coventry City in the Championship for approximately £20m two years ago, the Swedish striker has developed into one of Europe`s leading goalscorers, finding the net 97 times in 102 matches for the Leões and also providing 28 assists.

While the Portuguese top division may not be the highest in overall quality, this does not diminish Gyokeres` proven worth. His clinical shooting demonstrates his place among Europe`s elite forwards. Indeed, the `lethal` striker has been called `the best finisher in the world` by football statistician Spencer Mossman.

Ekitike certainly has high potential, but he is not yet a finished product. We have seen numerous rising stars fail to fully reach their potential when making the significant leap to the Premier League, where the hard work truly begins.

Comparing the statistics of the two players from the 2024/25 league campaign (Gyokeres for Sporting and Ekitike for Frankfurt), it may well be that Liverpool should opt for the more experienced and established player.