Liverpool striker shortlist has now got THREE names on it

Liverpool have completed phase one of their summer transfer plans. They have signed Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

And once the club manage to ship out some current players listed for sale they can move on with other transfer market priorities.

READ MORE: Marc Guehi to Liverpool comes down to £25m

It’s no secret that Liverpool have been seeking to improve the centre-forward position. Current No9 Darwin Nunez simply hasn’t convinced throughout his time at the club and fell out of favour with Arne Slot last season.

READ MORE: Liverpool told what offer it will take to convince Alexander Isak to join

If Liverpool move the Uruguayan on then they will activate phase two of their summer transfer overhaul.

Only THREE names in the frame

The Reds have been linked with plenty of strikers over the past number of weeks but have had to watch on as they complete deals elsewhere.

Liam Delap and Joao Pedro were both of interest for example but have signed for Chelsea instead. Likewise, there were reports of interest in Matheus Cunha but he’s gone to Manchester United.

And as fewer and fewer top-level strikers remain on the market, Liverpool’s search for a new frontman has narrowed to just three.

That’s according to the latest report from Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg who claims Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Victor Osimhen are the three names in the frame.

Isak, Ekitike and Osimhen on the hitlist

Isak, 25, is estimated to be worth over £120m but there has been increasing noise that a deal could be possible this summer. He is due a pay rise but the Magpies have not yet had much luck in striking a new deal.

Ekitike, 22, is valued at €100m by Eintracht Frankfurt. And with a contract until 2029, the Bundesliga side are reasonably well protected from a transfer fee perspective.

The rangy French forward would be a good fit for Arne Slot, capable of clever combination play as well as devastating finishing.

And then there’s Osimhen. Napoli NEED to sell this summer in order to avoid losing the Nigerian hitman for free in 2026. At 26, he is in his prime and is coming off the back of a terrific season on loan at Galatasaray.

Liverpool must WAIT for outgoings

But of course any deal is contingent on exits and this is where Nunez’s future is so important. Liverpool paid a sum that could eventually reach £85m for the forward and need to recoup as much of that as possible.

But right now chief suitors Napoli don’t appear willing to stump up the cash. The player, meanwhile, isn’t interested in moving to the teams who CAN pay the fee in Saudi Arabia. So Liverpool’s striker search is at a standstill.

READ MORE: Deal close as Medical SET today

Plettenberg mentions that Ekitike is playing the waiting game as Nunez’s future is decided. But once Nunez’s exit is confirmed - to the SPL or else Napoli - then we could finally see the Reds move for a quality forward like Isak, Ekitike or Osimhen.