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Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt(Image: Pau Barrena/Getty Images)

And we're off.

After weeks of keeping their powder dry regards strengthening forward options, this week has seen Liverpool finally make their move.

But anybody who believes the ongoing pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike marks the end-game for the Reds is almost certain to be very much mistaken.



Instead, the frontline merry-go-round is only now beginning to pick up speed, the dominos starting to fall at Anfield and beyond.

Liverpool have opened talks with Frankfurt over a deal for Ekitike, having already been given the green light to hold negotiations in which personal terms have been agreed with the player over a long-term contract.

READ MORE:Liverpool agree personal terms with Hugo Ekitike as Eintracht Frankfurt transfer nearsREAD MORE:Hugo Ekitike transfer has been a long time coming with Liverpool interest hidden in plain sight

The Bundesliga side turned down an offer of €80m (£69.4m) for Ekitike earlier this week from Newcastle United, who have subsequently given up their chase for the 23-year-old.

An offer nearer €100m (£86.7m) would persuade Frankfurt to part with their most prized possession, who has become one of the most in-demand young forwards in Europe over the last 12 months.

But even if a deal for Ekitike is reached, the state of flux in Liverpool's attack remains - both for the present and the future.

For a start, what does the move for the France under-21 international mean for the Reds' long-term interest in Newcastle United's Alexander Isak?

Both have forged a reputation as a central striker and, with Arne Slot having regularly employed just one player in such a position during the romp to the Premier League title last term, it seems unlikely Isak and Ekitike would be purchased in the same summer regardless of the heavy financial burden of such a double transfer.

And should Ekitike prove a success, it would then seemingly negate the need for Isak in the coming years and, by definition, reduce the possibility considerably of the player ever ending up on the books at Anfield.

Suggestions Liverpool could be using interest in Ekitike as a powerplay to force Isak into agitating for a move away from Newcastle - the Magpies are steadfast in their refusal to sell this summer - would have more credence had the Reds not progressed so far in their move for the Frankfurt man.

The optics of pulling the plug now purely on the basis of Isak making clear his desire to switch to Anfield would cause damage to the Liverpool recruitment team in the long term.

It seems unlikely, though, that the Reds will finish their attacking recruitment drive with the purchase of Ekitike, not least given question marks remain over the majority of the other senior forwards on the Reds' books, with only Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo having any real clarity going into the new season.

Liverpool will entertain offers for Darwin Nunez, who remains a target for AC Milan and Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal despite Napoli ending their interest.

The Reds value the Uruguay international in excess of £50m.

Federico Chiesa is being courted by a number of Italian clubs while Luis Diaz was the subject of a failed €67.5m bid (£58.6m) from Bayern Munich earlier this week.

The Bundesliga side are expected to return with an improved offer, with Barcelona also still interested in the Colombia winger.

And there could be significant movement among the younger attacking options, particularly Ben Doak.

The teenager is being assessed by several clubs - most recently Nottingham Forest - with Liverpool likely to be tempted by offers of around £25m.

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The move for Ekitike, then, isn't the conclusion of the Reds' forward business in the transfer market this summer.
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