Liverpool suffer cruel BLOW in Hugo Ekitike transfer race

Liverpool are set for a summer shakeup in the striker department.

The upcoming transfer window should see Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez leave the club while there is mounting uncertainty around others such as Federico Chiesa, Luis Diaz and of course Mohamed Salah.

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Arne Slot could be working with a very different frontline next season with several star names linked as potential incomings.

The likes of Alexander Isak, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen are among those associated with an Anfield transfer as sporting director Richard Hughes considers upgrades in the No9 position.

Another player in the shape of Hugo Ekitike has ALSO been linked with the Eintracht Frankfurt sensation on Liverpool’s radar since 2022.

Liverpool in Ekitike chase

Back then, the Frenchman opted to leave Reims for Paris Saint-Germain with the Reds among a host of Premier League clubs interested.

Although things didn’t go well at PSG, Ekitike has since re-aligned his career in the Bundesliga. This season he has scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 38 games and also scored a hat-trick for France under-21s against England last week.

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Ekitike’s electric form in front of goal has once again led to rumours that he could be on his way to Anfield.

Under contract until 2029, it is believed the striker would come with a reported €80 million (£67m) transfer fee - still a far cry from the reported £150m that Newcastle want for Isak.

Ekitike flaw revealed

However, there could be a complicating factor in any potential arrival. Ekitike is a CONFIRMED Manchester United fan, revealing to Frankfurt’s media team that he supported the Red Devils when he was a boy.

With Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee toiling in the centre-forward position for Ruben Amorim’s side, there is no doubt that a player like Ekitike would be an upgrade. That’s if United decided to get involved in the race.

But considering the range of cuts happening at Old Trafford under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, they might not have the funds available for a transfer of this magnitude.

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Therefore, Ekitike’s gentle flirting with Man Utd might get him nowhere, leaving the route clear for Liverpool to strike. That’s if fans can stand the thought of a United fan up front?

Given Ekitike’s touch and talent, it’s a flaw we are willing to overlook.