Liverpool are very keen to bring in a striker this summer but they will bide their time to ensure he is the right man for the job.

They may already have one of the most feared attacks in Europe but the Reds want to increase their threat even further by bringing in a top-quality striker.

Darwin Nunez is set to leave Liverpool this summer, giving them another incentive to buy, with Alexander Isak the ‘dream’ target.

However, although not out of the realms of possibility, a move for the Swede would be very costly and Newcastle, as expected, are very keen to keep hold of him.

Liverpool told whether they'll get a discount on 'devastating' striker as player swap mooted - journalist	Liverpool's striker 'target' emerges as Reds move on from Alexander Isak	'Alexander Isak is more complete than Erling Haaland - but Liverpool already has the best striker'

Not to worry though, Liverpool have a plethora of options to choose from and they could take a big risk in the hope of an even bigger reward, with one striker in particular the clear back-up option if they fail to sign Isak.

Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images

Many names keep cropping up in regards to who Liverpool will make their new number nine, none more so than Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

The Frenchman is certainly hot property this summer and is wanted by Manchester United and Chelsea as well, although his £85m price tag is what is making all parties apprehensive.

However, journalist Ben Jacobs has confirmed on The United Stand’s YouTube channel that Liverpool might be the favourites to sign him and that they are playing it cool to ensure they get the right deal.

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“I think the reality is that Frankfurt are waiting for Liverpool, and Liverpool are first determining whether Isak is genuinely feasible,” Jacobs said.

READ MORE: The big worry Newcastle United now have about Liverpool’s interest in Alexander Isak

“If he’s not, I think there’s a fair chance that Liverpool significantly up their efforts to sign Hugo Ekitike, because they’re great readers of the market and they will wait longer because the feeling is that by mid-July or early August that price for Ekitike will drop.”

A fee of around £65m could do the trick, but as Jacobs confirmed, this would not be plausible until Frankfurt have been able to fully gauge the interest in him later this summer.

Of course, Isak is a more well-established striker and is considered to be better, but with two years between them, Ekitike has time on his side.

2024/25 StatsAlexander IsakHugo EkitikeAppearances 4248Goals2722Assists612Stats from Transfermarkt and correct as of 25/06/25

The Swede might be a better goalscorer but the 23-year-old has shown signs that his all-round game is better, although it is still not perfect.

Isak would also prove a less risky option due to being Premier League-proven, but his injury record is something that could give Ekitike the edge.

Both would be very viable options with a certain degree of risk and reward, but do Liverpool spend big one last time on their dream target or take a gamble on a player that could have a huge future?


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