One of these forwards WILL become Liverpool's next No9

Liverpool look set to shake up their striking options this summer. Diogo Jota could be sacrificed having failed to win over Arne Slot due to his injury record.

The Portuguese arrived following Liverpool’s last title win in 2020 and - under contract until 2027 - this could well be the last chance to cash in on the 28-year-old.

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Under more scrutiny is Darwin Nunez. The 25-year-old appears to be living his last days as a Liverpool player with several media reports suggesting that the Reds are now ready to move on.

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A 2022 acquisition from Benfica, Nunez hasn’t made the grade at Anfield, falling completely out of the starting XI this season under Arne Slot.

Liverpool listened to bids for the Uruguay international in January but efforts on the part of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal fell short.

FSG will be looking to make some of their money back on Nunez - whose overall fee was £85 million - the most the club have ever paid for a player.

Atletico Madrid are among the leading contenders for Nunez and his departure promises to open a significant gap in the squad.

Liverpool’s No9 hasn’t managed to become a reliable centre-forward and Slot and Richard Hughes are seeking to rectify that in summer.

Plenty of names have been linked with an Anfield arrival in the striker position over the past few weeks. Here we assess some of the contenders to replace Darwin Nunez for Liverpool.

Alexander Isak - Newcastle

Top of the list is reported to be Alexander Isak. If Newcastle miss out on Champions League football then there is every chance that the Swede will seek to be sold.

One of the world’s pre-eminent strikers, Isak deserves to be playing for one of the world’s top clubs.

However, the Magpies are set to slap a price tag of around £150m on their star attraction - effectively pricing Liverpool out of a move this summer.

Still, with a contract expiring in 2028 and a standoff developing around a renewal, the Reds might get their chance for the 25-year-old in the seasons ahead.

Jonathan David - Lille

Liverpool have long been linked with the 25-year-old Canadian, whose contract with Lille expires this summer. It won’t be a straightforward deal with multiple clubs now on the No9’s trail.

A consistent goalscorer at both Ligue 1 and Champions League level, David looks set for the next step in his career and appears a good fit for the Reds.

But if they save on a transfer fee, the odds are that they will have to pay out an incredible salary.

Hugo Ekitike - Eintracht Frankfurt

The French forward has been linked with Liverpool since 2022 - when he first swapped Reims for Paris Saint-Germain. That move didn’t work out for the 22-year-old, who has worked hard to rebuild his career in the Bundesliga.

The Frankfurt man looks set for the next move in his career - with several outlets reporting Liverpool’s interest. Eintracht however are looking to gain as much as €100 million for their in-form frontman, a price tag which means Liverpool looking elsewhere.

Benjamin Sesko - RB Leipzig

Supposedly in possession of a “gentleman’s agreement” to leave RB Leipzig this summer if bids come in, the Slovenian hitman is likely to go for around €100m too.

Whether he fits the bill for Liverpool is another question, however. Sesko, 21, could be sold by Jurgen Klopp’s club as they attempt to earn money in the transfer market and bring down the wage bill.

Several Premier League clubs - including Manchester United - are said to be interested.

Joao Pedro - Brighton

Joao Pedro has the right profile for Liverpool to become a belated successor to Roberto Firmino but the deal makes little sense at the prices quoted.

Brighton are reported to be demanding £100m for the Brazil No9 - but his output doesn’t suggest he’s worth anything close to that.

There is no doubt over his quality, and his unique combination of build-up play and capability in front of goal mark him out as an attractive option.

Mateo Retegui - Atalanta

Perhaps a wildcard choice.

The Atalanta frontman is currently the top scorer in Serie A, enjoying a remarkable campaign since joining from Genoa. His shot conversion rate is off the charts and the 26-year-old is capable of producing all kinds of finishes.

We understand he’s admired from inside Anfield - with Richard Hughes himself having graduated as a player through the Atalanta academy.

Liam Delap - Ipswich

This one has got “opportunistic” written all over it. 22-year-old Ipswich forward Liam Delap has got a £30 million release clause in his Tractor Boys contract following their relegation to the Championship.

Liverpool have admired the England under-21 international since his days in the Manchester City academy and will have been impressed at how he’s taken to life in the top flight.

However, this is not going to be straightforward with Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle all said to be in the running for the No9.

Victor Osimhen - Galatasaray / Napoli

The Nigerian has been in PROLIFIC form for Galatasaray this season - enjoying a productive loan spell away from Napoli.

And his price will have come right down owing to a contract standoff with his parent club and he currently is due to leave the club for free in 2026.

But there is no doubt the Italians will cash in this summer - with a fee of £50m to £60m mooted rather than the £100m quoted last year.

Liverpool like him and have made contact around previous windows. The big complicating factor here is wages. Osimhen, 26, is in the prime of his career and has recently informed suitors he wants £300k per week.

That places him behind only Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the pecking order. A world-class striker but unlikely to be brought in on that kind of money.

Mohamed Amoura - Wolfsburg / Union SG

Another player long-admired at Anfield, club negotiators will probably be wishing that they made a move before his breakout season with Wolfsburg.

The 24-year-old has reached double figures for goals and assists in the Bundesliga this season - showcasing his all-round play. He can play all across the frontline, demonstrating the versatility so admired by Arne Slot.

The Algeria international is due to turn his season-long loan deal from Union SG permanent this summer for a reported bargain of €15m. No doubt, Wolfsburg will be looking to cash in as soon as possible.

Julian Alvarez - Atletico Madrid

This one might be more viable in 2026. The Argentina international has been enjoying a stunning debut campaign under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid but is reportedly unhappy with the club’s progress this season.

Spanish media suggests he will consider his future in 2026 if no improvements are made.

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Liverpool really like Alvarez and Anfield Watch revealed he was a summer target. The 25-year-old would no doubt go for a mammoth fee - as well as sizeable wages.

We could perhaps utilise Atleti’s interest in Darwin Nunez to make something happen this year.