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Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has named three Liverpool players who are ‘candidates to leave’ the club this summer amid the Reds’ search for a striker.

Liverpool have been very active in the transfer market and are set to continue their recruitment well past the current window.

They have already signed Jeremie Frimpong and Armin Pecsi, while there is hope that Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez will join in the coming days.

But Liverpool’s transfer business is not expected to end there.

The Reds are in the market for a striker.

The likes of Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike have been considered as possible options for the Reds.

However, so far, the feeling is that the Isak ship has sailed, and Liverpool may not return to the Swedish international due to Newcastle’s position in any possible deal.

The Magpies qualified for the Champions League, so they are in no hurry to sell any of their players, not least an important one like Isak.

Sesko is another player who was linked with a Liverpool move.

But interest in the RB Leipzig striker appeared to have cooled in recent weeks, especially after his links with a move to Arsenal.

Elsewhere, Liverpool’s interest in Hugo Ekitike was revived in recent days after several reports that the Reds had held talks with him.

However, it emerged that Chelsea were keen on signing him ahead of the Club World Cup that starts later this month.

But the Blues’ interest has not been concretised as they are unwilling to match Leipzig’s reported €100m asking price.

Their reluctance has handed Liverpool a boost in the race.

With the Blues still unable to conclude on the deal, Sky Germany’s  Florian Plettenberg has now provided an update on Chelsea’s interest in Ekitike while also clarifying Liverpool’s stance on the transfer.

According to the Sky journalist, the Reds are still interested in Ekitike, especially considering that three of the current Liverpool stars are candidates to leave this summer.

“No agreement yet between Hugo Ekitike and Chelsea,” Plettenberg said.

A deal in the next transfer window is still possible, but Liverpool remain in the race and have also held concrete talks with the player’s camp, as Nunez, Jota, and Chiesa are all candidates to leave.”

The Liverpool trio mentioned by Plettenberg all look to be set for a summer exit.

Nunez is said to be wanted by Saudi Pro League clubs, while Chisea  is reportedly keen to return to Italy.

Meanwhile, there has been little serious interest in Jota, but it is thought that Slot is keen on moving on from him, considering his injury record.

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