Fabrizio Romano confirms which striker is on Liverpool’s shortlist

Liverpool have got plans to add a high-quality striker to their squad this summer. Despite winning the Premier League title, Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are not standing still.

Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota never really convinced the Dutchman during his first season in charge and the transfer focus at Anfield will soon turn to a No9.

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Several players have been linked – not least Victor Osimhen and Joao Pedro – but there are a couple of names standing out above all others.

READ MORE: Liverpool look to Saudi Arabia for £60m striker deal

At the top of the list seems to be Alexander Isak. A deal would be difficult for the Sweden international – but confidence at the club will be sky-high after doing business with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz.

Then there’s Hugo Ekitike.

Fabrizio Romano reveals Liverpool striker hitlist

It’s been reported that Liverpool are concerned about Eintracht Frankfurt’s high valuation. But given the Frenchman’s output and his potential to develop further, €100m might well look reasonable in time.

Fabrizio Romano has now shared his view on what’s likely to happen this summer as Liverpool go in search of a frontman. Isak’s excessive valuation – around £120m and over – is probably going to be too much for Richard Hughes to get to.

The Italian transfer supremo admits Liverpool WOULD indeed like to go for Isak but at the moment there are better opportunities for a No9 out there.

Isak ‘a very, very difficult deal’

“Liverpool would try to go for Isak [if he became available] but at the moment I don’t have this feeling,” he told GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast.

“The club too, from what I’m hearing, see it as a very, very difficult deal.”

Instead, Romano believes Ekitike will come back into the frame. The Frankfurt forward scored 22 goals in all competitions last season – helping his side to achieve Champions League football.

Frankfurt are well protected from a transfer fee perspective with Ekitike’s contract lasting until 2029. Nonetheless this is not a transfer that Romano is ruling out.

Ekitike ‘an interesting opportunity’

“A name I can mention for Liverpool is still Hugo Ekitike at Eintracht Frankfurt,” the Italian transfer supremo continued. “Because if Darwin Nunez leaves, let’s see what happens with Luis Diaz, but especially Darwin, and I see Darwin leaving this summer.

“Well, I think for Ekitike this could be a possibility to go to Liverpool, because there were calls from Chelsea two weeks ago. Man United, in recent days, also made contact with the agents to understand the situation.

“But for Liverpool, this is also a possibility. Liverpool also spoke to the agents. Also, Liverpool considered Ekitike an interesting opportunity.

“And so that’s the name I would keep in their shortlist.”

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano drops MASSIVE hint that Liverpool have won striker race

So right now it appears Ekitike is slightly ahead of Isak in the race to become Liverpool’s next centre-forward. Now that Liverpool’s entire transfer focus can be put on a new No9, let’s see how this one develops.