David Ornstein has provided his latest on the striker market heading into the summer transfer window.

Darwin Nunez, once seen as Liverpool’s next great No.

9, appears to have one foot out the door.

After a season in which he started just eight Premier League games and scored five goals, the Uruguayan has slipped down the pecking order under Arne Slot.

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Diogo Jota’s future is also clouded by uncertainty.

The Portuguese forward, who has struggled with persistent injury problems, has been linked with moves away from Liverpool, including interest from Premier League rivals and clubs in the Middle East.

While Alexander Isak is considered a “dream signing” for the Reds hierarchy, there is a general understanding that a deal would be too expensive to broker.

Isak, who scored 27 goals in the Premier League this season, has a £130-£150 million price tag on his head and seems likely to prove prohibitive for Liverpool.

And according to David Ornstein, there is not much out there for Liverpool and other clubs looking for a striker.

Speaking about the striker market on the Sky Sports Back Pages podcast, the Athletic journalist revealed that the market is dire for clubs looking for strikers:

He adds that clubs needing to fill this position will struggle, and even unexperienced options like Hugo Ekitike will be very expensive:

“We’re talking about the likes of Liam Delap.

So I’m not sure that the clubs that need that position are necessarily going to fill it with the players that they want.

“And therefore, they might have to start to look towards maybe a winger or nine and a half, as they’re starting to call it.”

With Nunez’s exit increasingly likely and Jota’s future unresolved, Liverpool’s need for a new striker is urgent.

The pursuit of Alexander Isak highlights the club’s ambition, but also the financial realities of the current market.

As the window opens, Liverpool will be under pressure to secure a reliable, top-class forward to lead the line and sustain their challenge for major honours next season.

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