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It sounds as though Hugo Ekitike is edging toward a big-money move to Anfield, after the Reds quickly switched their attention from the seemingly unattainable Alexander Isak to Frankfurt's star striker.

Liverpool has reached an agreement with Ekitike over a move to Anfield, and it is now down to the two clubs to come to an agreement over a fee.

That should not be viewed as an absolute formality, given Frankfurt values Ekitike at more than $100 million, but Liverpool is clearly confident a deal can be done, or it wouldn't have agreed terms with the player.

Should he make the move to Liverpool, Ekitike would have to change his squad number.

He has worn the No.11 in each of the previous three seasons at Frankfurt, but that number belongs to Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, and we can safely say that the Egyptian won't be giving it up.

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Darwin Nunez's No.9 could become available in the coming weeks, though, and that feels like the natural number for Ekitike to inherit.

Ekitike has given the green light to a six-year contract at Liverpool, with Newcastle now out of the running to land the Frenchman after being knocked back with an approach earlier this week; Ekitike's impending move to Merseyside all but rules out the possibility of Isak joining the Reds.

As per Sport Bild, Ekitike is prepared to push for the move to Liverpool and has taken the initiative, submitting a transfer request to the Bundesliga club.

The addition of Ekitike will push Liverpool's expenditure to well over $300 million since its Premier League title victory, but despite his £86.5 million ($115.9 million) release clause, Liverpool is hopeful of negotiating a lower price.



Mohamed Salah currently dons the No.11 for Liverpool

Regarding outgoings, Darwin Nunez's move to Napoli is off: Liverpool and Napoli were always well apart with their valuations of Nunez, with the Reds holding out for around $70 million for the striker, and the Serie A champion not willing to pay anywhere near that amount.

Liverpool knocked back approaches for Nunez from clubs in Saudi Arabia during the January transfer window, but there remains a strong market for the Reds' No

9 from clubs in the Gulf state.

Nunez was reportedly disappointed that he was not given the opportunity to at least listen to Al-Nassr's offer, with Liverpool dismissing an $87 million bid and informing the Saudi Pro League club that the forward was not for sale this month at any price.

Liverpool's stance in January was that Nunez was not for sale, with squad depth key as the Reds pursued glory on all four fronts, but Nunez is now very much for sale as the Reds pursue a replacement for the Uruguayan.


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