Liverpool receive MASSIVE Hugo Ekitike transfer encouragement

Big changes are expected in Liverpool’s striker department this summer. We could see several star names depart as Arne Slot and Richard Hughes ring in the changes at No9.

Neither Diogo Jota nor Darwin Nunez have been convincing throughout this campaign and offers will be heard for both frontmen this summer.

READ MORE: Liverpool REJECTED in centre-back contract talks

Liverpool chiefs will be optimistic of raking in around £100m for the pair - with Saudi interest materialising in Jota and Napoli and Atletico Madrid keen on Nunez.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano confirms star will ACCEPT Liverpool offer

If the Reds make plenty of money on their strikers then those proceeds could well be ploughed into a high-quality replacement.

We’ve seen links to Jonathan David - a free transfer who nonetheless could take up a fair chunk of the wage budget - as well as Joao Pedro and Alexander Isak.

Ekitike on the Liverpool radar

One other name in the frame is Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. The 22-year-old is set to be sold by his club this summer following a breakout campaign in which he hit 15 league goals.

Frankfurt could demand as much as €100m for the Frenchman, who has re-aligned his career in the Bundesliga after a forgettable spell at Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool are not the only team interested in Ekitike, who has a contract at the Waldstadion until 2029. It’s been claimed that Chelsea have their eyes on the France under-21 international as competition heats up for his signature.

Chelsea ready to concede Ekitike to Liverpool

Happily for Liverpool, it’s been claimed by Chelsea journalist Si Phillips that despite the Blues’ interest Liverpool remain front-runners for his signature.

Liverpool have had Ekitike on the radar since his days as a teenager with Reims and the club would surely be a better option for this elite forward.

Having scored 22 goals and adding 12 assists in all competitions this season, Ekitike now looks set for the next step.

READ MORE: Richard Hughes could make DREAM Florian Wirtz offer to Bayer Leverkusen

A tall, elegant centre-forward, Ekitike is also capable of drifting wide and using his dribbling skills. Given his age and potential, it’s no wonder Reds’ recruiters have got him on the radar.