Liverpool fans enjoyed something of a transfer frenzy this week as their striker search began to clear up.

The Reds had long been expected to enter the market for a new centre-forward this summer and finally moved decisively on Tuesday.

There was huge excitement over the possibility of Alexander Isak joining after Liverpool made an approach to Newcastle for the Swede.

However, with the Magpies determined to keep hold of Isak, Liverpool switched their attention to Hugo Ekitike.

What Luis Enrique really thought of Hugo Ekitike before selling him at PSG as Liverpool close in	'It's genuine': Liverpool really are pushing to sign £85m Brazilian and he's open to joining - journalist	Liverpool close on Hugo Ekitike transfer as Newcastle pushed aside after Alexander Isak threat

As Rousing The Kop revealed on Friday, the story with Isak is not completely over, but in the meantime it had been reported that Liverpool want a deal done for Ekitike as quickly as possible.

Suggestions that a deal could be done by the weekend appear to have been wide of the mark, though, with Sky Sports journalist Mark McAdam now setting a new timeline.

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The explanation for Liverpool wanting to get the Ekitike transfer done quickly was that they wanted him to join the group travelling to Asia on Sunday.

However, Ekitike has also had strong interest from elsewhere this summer and it would make sense for Liverpool to head that off as soon as possible.

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Speaking to Sky Sports on Friday evening, though, McAdam insisted that there is still a way to go before this can be considered anything like a done deal.

“Not close at the moment,” he said.

“This is one of the things you find, reporting about transfers now is becoming such a difficult job because there’s so much noise on social media and if you were to believe everything you’d think the deal to Liverpool is done and dusted.”

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“Hold your horses, Liverpool fans calm down, it’s progressing but it’s not happening at any pace and Liverpool are comfortable with that at the moment.

“There are talks between Liverpool and Frankfurt over the signing of Hugo Ekitike, Sky Sports News understands there’s been no offer at this stage, the package that’s being discussed is around £75m,” McAdam added.

“The key thing Liverpool have on their side is that Ekitike wants to join them, he’s made that quite clear privately.

Personal terms are not going to be a problem for the player, so that part is progressing nicely.”

As well as giving an insight into the current progress of the deal, McAdam also explained the thinking behind Liverpool’s move for Ekitike.

According to the reporter, Arne Slot has been won over by the Frenchman’s ability to play in a number of different roles.

“The key thing Arne Slot likes about the player is his versatility, he can play as a nine, he can play out left, on the right, he can play as a ten,” he said.

“He brings that ability to adapt and play in multiple roles, and that’s something that is really attractive to Liverpool.”

In that case, perhaps Ekitike is not being signed as a centre-forward after all.

Do not take your eyes off Isak in all of this.
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