It has been no secret that Liverpool are desperate to bring in a striker this summer.

The Reds’ team for next season is almost complete and they are just a few signings away from completing Arne Slot’s perfect team.

A centre-back, winger and striker are the three positions they are reportedly wanting to strengthen in, with the latter, arguably, the area most important but equally most difficult.

Liverpool join three-way race with title rivals to sign “massively underrated” forward	Liverpool 'name Darwin Nunez asking price' - but deal 'could result in staggering financial loss' just three years after they paid £85m to sign the forward	Liverpool name Darwin Nunez asking price - but deal could result in financial loss just three years after they paid £85m to sign the forward

Many names have been linked, but many are also beginning to be snapped up by other clubs, or at least close to joining, leaving Liverpool with fewer options than before.

There is one name, however, who never seems to be able to escape the Reds’ headlines, and a move might be closer than ever after his current employers have just signed a potential replacement.

Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Of course, new signings can just be indirect links and perhaps just a genuine addition to the team, but it can also suggest they are planning for the future.

And, with Eintracht Frankfurt confirming the signing of striker Jonathan Burkardt from Mainz, it might indicate that Hugo Ekitike might be free to leave this summer.

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At 24, Burkardt has time on his side but is also a prolific goalscorer, indicating that he is ready to become the first-choice striker and may not settle for anything else.

This may catch Liverpool’s eye as Ekitike has been on their radar for quite some time, with this now the potential catalyst to make a move.

The Frenchman has an eye-watering price tag of £85m, but the Reds’ interest has not appeared to waver since knowing this detail, suggesting a move is still on the cards.

As the summer goes on, and now that they have a replacement, Frankfurt might be more willing to negotiate a price, although Liverpool would need to act fast as the 23-year-old is attracting plenty of interest.

The Reds’ plan was to always sell first, then buy a quality player as a replacement, but this may take some time.

The sale of Darwin Nunez is perhaps proving trickier than Liverpool may have thought, with their £51m asking price putting almost all clubs off from signing him.

Napoli were keen, but slight financial implications mean they cannot afford him, although that will not stop them from offering a fee they believe is fair.

The tragic news of Diogo Jota’s death has also put a hold on proceedings – rightly so, of course – with the club needing some time to grieve before even thinking about the future.