Liverpool move CLOSER to €100m Hugo Ekitike deal

Liverpool appear to have taken a step closer towards a deal for Hugo Ekitike. It won't be a cheap one, however.

Liverpool are reportedly in the race for Hugo Ekitike. Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg is certainly suggesting that - he claims it's something of a two horse race right now.

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Chelsea supposedly lead that. They're pushing the hardest with concrete talks over him with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Liverpool are there, though, and the Blues know it. They've apparently been hoping to wrap things up quickly before the Reds can swing Ekitike's decision towards Anfield.

Though, this won't be a cheap one for any team. Frankfurt hope to bag €100m for Ekitike, who they know is the most in-demand striker available right now.

Alexander Isak is completely off the table after Newcastle United bagged UEFA Champions League qualification and the Frenchman is seen as a true alternative. Both Liverpool and Chelsea appear to agree.

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Liverpool move closer

There's been a very interesting update in this race, however. It seems Chelsea are actually going to sign Liam Delap, who's available on the cheap after Ipswich Town were relegated.

But reports last month suggested Delap didn't want to head to a club with an established, elite no.9. He's not after a pure bench role where minutes are hard to come by.

We find it very hard to believe, then, that he's agreed to join Chelsea unless he's received guarantees. That would mean no Ekitike, who would unquestionably want to be their regular starting striker.

And if Chelsea aren't in the race for Ekitike, Liverpool are suddenly in a much stronger position. Plettenberg does warn that Arsenal are watching but the Reds appear to be further along with their interest.

There's talk that Liverpool hope to sign a starting striker after a deal for Florian Wirtz. Ekitike may very well be that striker - it's certainly beginning to look that way.

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Anfield Watch reported back in February that an attacking overhaul was on the way at Anfield. Well, here it is. And it certainly looks exciting.