Liverpool to spend biggest transfer budget EVER on Premier League striker

Liverpool are making moves to sign a new striker in the summer transfer window.

Current options at No9 have failed to convince Arne Slot - with Diogo Jota frequently injured and losing his touch in front of goal.

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Darwin Nunez, meanwhile, has never come close to justifying his £85m outlay and the club are ready to entertain bids in the upcoming transfer period.

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Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are casting the net wide in the hunt for reinforcements - with Liverpool’s shortlist reckoned to contain many names.

Right at the top of course is Alexander Isak. Newcastle’s asking price could go as high as £150m however meaning other options will need to be considered.

Free agent Jonathan David looks a fine candidate but the Reds will face a lot of intense competition for the Lille No9.

Hugo Ekitike, meanwhile, is a great prospect but again, the fee demanded by Eintracht Frankfurt could price Liverpool out of the market.

Liverpool watching Joao Pedro

So where else might Liverpool turn?

Well according to a new report in the Telegraph it looks like Joao Pedro is back on the menu. The Brazilian frontman has 10 goals and six assists in 27 Premier League outings for Brighton this season.

His form over the past two seasons has placed him on the radar of several top clubs - Liverpool included - and also won him a place in the Brazil side.

Having signed from Watford in 2023, Joao Pedro is under contract until 2028 but the Seagulls could well listen to offers this summer. The south coast club paid £30m for the 23-year-old, but will ask for much more than that in the case of a sale.

In fact it’s been previously claimed that Brighton could demand as much as £100m for their South American star. Nonetheless, there could be room for negotiation with the Reds being joined by Arsenal and Chelsea in expressing their interest.

Joao Pedro stats

"Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all showing interest in Brighton forward Joao Pedro ahead of a possible summer transfer,” a report states.

“Liverpool are expected to be active in the market this summer, with Arne Slot set to be backed with one of the club’s biggest ever transfer budgets.

“A new striker is among their priorities — especially with Darwin Nunez’s Liverpool career almost certain to come to an end.”

Joao Pedro looks a good fit for the Reds, contributing a lot to the all-round play, but could do with upping his numbers in front of goal.

He totals only FIVE non-penalty Premier League goals for the season and Mo Salah will be ahead of him in the queue for spot-kicks should he join the Reds.

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That said, he ranks highly on FOTMOB for assists, chances created, touches, successful dribbles and possessions won in the final third.