Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net
The summer transfer window opens in two days and Liverpool are primed to make a fast start with their business.
The Premier League champions recognise they have a job to do if they want to hand Arne Slot the tools to retain the silverware won this year, or possibly even add to it.
Among the targets is Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen's talented midfielder, with the ECHO understanding there is growing confidence over at Anfield that a club-record deal can be secured.
His teammate, wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, has already undergone a medical and is close to becoming Liverpool's first signing of the summer, plus Bournemouth's full-back Milos Kerkez remains a player of interest.
For the majority of the recent season there was also speculation of Slot adding a new striker to his ranks, especially as the immediate future of Darwin Nunez remains a hot topic on Merseyside.
Read More.
Here, the ECHO analyses the latest transfer headlines circling Anfield, with a look at updates around Wirtz and possible target Hugo Ekitike...
Florian Wirtz timeline
According to German publication BILD, Wirtz is 'about' to make the move from Leverkusen to Liverpool
As stated, the Reds have growing confidence.
Here, it is also believed that Anfield chiefs are advancing quickly with the hope of having everything finalised in time for Wirtz ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League finals with the German national team.
Germany play their semi-final with Portugal on Wednesday, June 4 - only five days from now...
Hugo Ekitike talks
Fabrizio Romano reports the state of play in a burgeoning summer battle between Liverpool and Chelsea over Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
The 22-year-old is another whose future has been intensely discussed during a 2024/25 season in which he scored 22 goals.
Apparently, the latest is that both Premier League clubs have made initial contacts over a deal for Ekitike and will continue to do so into next week when the window is officially open.
The Londoners are in pole position to wrap up a £30m deal with Ipswich Town for Liam Delap first and foremost, but still wish to add another striker to their ranks, while the Reds are presently busy themselves with Frimpong soon to be announced, talks for Wirtz progressing and Bournemouth's Kerkez of interest.
Sign up to one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.
For more news relating to Chelsea, visit our sister site Chelsea Latest Live.
![[Valid RSS]](../valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")