Liverpool Hold “Concrete Talks” to Sign “the Next Mbappe”, He’d Be Better Than Gyokeres
Liverpool have dismissed any suggestion of a second-season slump under Arne Slot by launching an aggressive campaign in the transfer market.
The Reds exceeded all expectations by clinching the Premier League title last season, achieving the feat without a recognised central striker. While Luis Diaz did a commendable job operating as a false nine, both Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota failed to impress consistently, with Nunez now facing the possibility of an exit.
Should Nunez depart, Liverpool will be in urgent need of a new centre-forward. Although Alexander Isak of Newcastle United had been on the radar, his club’s return to the Champions League has seemingly ruled out any potential move.
Numerous players have been linked with a switch to Anfield, with the latest name emerging being Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon. Reports indicate that initial contact with the Swedish forward was made back in May.
Manchester United are currently leading the race for Gyokeres, which could suggest that the 27-year-old may not represent the ideal target for the Merseysiders.
Nonetheless, Liverpool are in clear need of a fresh number nine.
Why Liverpool Need a Striker
Last season, Mohamed Salah was instrumental in guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title. While football is fundamentally a team game where collective strength usually outweighs individual brilliance, the Egyptian forward stood out as a rare exception.
Over the course of 52 matches in all competitions, Salah netted 34 goals and contributed 23 assists. His performances propelled him into the upper ranks of the Premier League’s all-time goalscorers, placing him fifth with 186 goals—just one behind Andy Cole and two ahead of Sergio Aguero.
This remarkable campaign, fulfilling a long-standing promise, earned him a second English league title and a full sweep of personal accolades.
Why is this relevant? Although the focus is Liverpool’s pursuit of a new striker, it’s worth noting that Salah turns 33 in a matter of days. Despite having recently signed a two-year contract extension, it’s unrealistic to expect him to continue carrying the attacking burden alone.
Liverpool must find a more dependable alternative to Darwin Nunez, who only managed seven goals last season. While names like Viktor Gyokeres have been linked, the Reds may have identified an even more promising candidate.
Liverpool Hold Talks for New Striker
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that Liverpudlians remain keen on Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward Hugo Ekitike, even though Chelsea have dominated the recent headlines.
Plettenberg reveals that Liverpool have already “held concrete talks with the player’s camp,” potentially biding their time until there’s more certainty around the futures of some of their surplus attackers.
However, a significant obstacle remains: Frankfurt are demanding €100m (£84m) for the young talent. Considering Ekitike has yet to fully establish himself, that valuation may be overly ambitious.
Why Liverpool Should Sign Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike managed just four goals in 33 senior appearances for Paris Saint-Germain before opting to carve out his career away from the star-studded Parisian side.
That decision has clearly paid off. Following a strong end to the 2023/24 season, he kicked on in his first full campaign, registering 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 matches.
Once dubbed “the next Mbappe” by journalist Graeme Bailey, it’s not hard to see why he’s so highly rated, combining sharp attacking instincts with a well-rounded skill set.
While Sporting’s Gyokeres is attracting plenty of attention, Liverpool’s data-centric approach would likely identify Ekitike as the more suitable option.
| Bundesliga Stats 24/25 – Hugo Ekitike | |
|---|---|
| Stats (* per game) | # |
| Matches (starts) | 33 (31) |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Shots (on target)* | 3.5 (1.5) |
| Big chances missed | 16 |
| Pass completion | 76% |
| Big chances created | 12 |
| Key passes* | 1.3 |
| Dribbles* | 1.6 |
| Duels won* | 4.2 |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | |
The crucial point is that Ekitike is beginning to find his rhythm in front of goal while also offering a blend of creativity and physicality. Although Gyokeres has shown greater finishing efficiency in Portugal, Ekitike’s versatile style hints at a higher ceiling. Analyst Ben Mattinson has even described him as “one of the best centre-forwards out there.”
It’s worth remembering that Nunez was similarly prolific for Benfica, netting 34 goals in 41 appearances during the 2021/22 season before Liverpool invested heavily to bring him to Anfield.
Ekitike, though, presents a more rounded profile statistically. According to FBref, he ranked in the top 10% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues last season for assists, top 6% for shot-creating actions, top 4% for progressive carries and successful take-ons, and top 19% for ball recoveries per 90 minutes.
With his athleticism and dynamism, Ekitike fits the mould of a top-tier forward—made all the more promising by the fact he’s five years younger than Gyokeres.
Journalist Bence Bocsak recently discussed Anfield’s interest in the “unique talent”, going on to say, “For the right price, Ekitike would be the perfect forward at Liverpool under Arne Slot.”
Naturally, finances will play a significant role in any decision, and Liverpool—much like Chelsea—are unlikely to splash out £84m on a relatively unproven centre-forward whose full potential remains unrealised.
That said, Ekitike offers the ideal profile to bring cohesion to Liverpool’s attack in the years ahead. Gyokeres might deliver a steady flow of goals, no doubt—but is he the ideal long-term fit?
With Ekitike, Slot has the opportunity to shape a genuine star. And that aligns perfectly with Liverpool’s ethos.
In other news, Outscored Isak & Ekitike: Liverpool Hold Talks for “Mønster” CF Who’d Be Suarez 2.0
