Liverpool are desperate to see a striker come through the door this summer but they face an uphill battle for some of their targets.

The Reds had a manic start to the transfer window and saw three big players join in relatively quick succession.

Progress, however, has significantly slowed down as the club tries to cope with the tragic Diogo Jota situation, with everyone at the club still trying to come to terms with what has happened.

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Although he will never be forgotten, players and staff are having to get back to their usual schedules and players are starting to be linked again, especially in the forward line.

Hugo Ekitike is a name that simply will not go away and Liverpool see him as a very viable option as their new number nine, although Newcastle appear to be ahead in the race.

That being said, the latest update surrounding his departure may be of significant interest for Reds fans and suggests that it’s not over yet.

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Despite having Alexander Isak, who Liverpool would love to have in their side, Newcastle are heavily linked with Ekitike and have been the first club to make their move.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Magpies have had an €80m (£69.5m) bid rejected for the Frenchman, with Eintracht Frankfurt looking for more in the region of £85m.

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The payment terms are the main issue, with Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krosche wanting and knowing that he can get more.

Plettenberg concludes by saying that other clubs have already signalled that they are willing to pay more than Newcastle have offered, with Liverpool perhaps one of these.

Manchester United and Chelsea were also interested at one stage, but after the latter signed both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, they are likely out of the running.

Liverpool are expected to sell some players first before signing anyone else, although they may need to be quick as Ekitike is hot property that might not be on the market for much longer.

The Reds have had a busy day so far after rejecting Bayern Munich’s £58.5m bid for Luis Diaz, with Liverpool insisting that he is not for sale.

They are said to be holding out for £87m, a fee that seems unlikely but Bayern are already preparing a new bid.

The German giants may have shot themselves in the foot earlier in the window, however, as Liverpool know they were willing to pay over €100m (£87m) for Florian Wirtz, indicating that they have the money for Diaz.

With the Colombian wanting a move away from Anfield this summer, it might be wise for the Reds to accept their next bid so they can fund a move for Ekitike before it is too late.


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