Last season, under the guidance of Slot, Liverpool clinched the Premier League title with four games to spare, marking an incredibly successful debut campaign for the manager. However, their European ambitions were dashed early in the Champions League, where they were knocked out in the first round by Paris Saint-Germain after a dramatic penalty shootout.
Despite inheriting a squad left by Klopp that was strong on paper, Liverpool still had several areas that needed reinforcement. In the summer transfer window, the club wasted no time, spending over €200 million to bring in new signings—Florian Wirtz, Joris Flynn, and Arne Kolkols. But that's not all. The Reds are still on the lookout for a central striker and a solid center-back to complete their squad.
展开剩余89%Alongside these new arrivals, the club has been clearing out some of its roster. Caoimhin Kelleher and Kostas Tsimikas have already been confirmed to leave, and now, all eyes are on the departure of Uruguayan striker Darwin Nú?ez.
Recent media reports suggest that negotiations between Liverpool and Napoli over a potential move for Nú?ez are progressing smoothly. Although Liverpool has set a hefty asking price of €65 million, Nú?ez remains a top priority for Napoli, and the player himself is open to a move. As a result, the two clubs are expected to settle on a transfer fee somewhere between €50-55 million.
Nú?ez, now 25, was a club-record signing for Liverpool in the summer of 2022 when he joined from Benfica for €85 million. However, his time at Anfield has been underwhelming. Although Nú?ez boasts incredible physical attributes—height, strength, speed, and explosive power—his performances have been inconsistent. On the pitch, he often positions himself well to get chances, but his finishing has been far from clinical.
In his three seasons with Liverpool, Nú?ez has made 143 appearances, scoring 40 goals and providing 26 assists across all competitions. After Slot took charge, Nú?ez found himself relegated to the bench, with Diogo Jota and even Luis Díaz preferred up front as the starting options.
Now valued at €45 million by Transfermarkt, Nú?ez still has potential. His physical talent and professional attitude continue to attract suitors. Clubs like Atlético Madrid, Napoli, and even some from Saudi Arabia are reportedly interested in signing him.
As Nú?ez nears his move to Naples, Liverpool will be left looking for a new striker. Jota, while fitting Slot's tactical preferences, is 29 and has been plagued by injuries, meaning the Reds must act quickly to bring in a quality replacement. Several top-class options are currently on their radar.
1. Alexander Isak
At 26, Isak is currently one of the best strikers in the Premier League. Last season, he made 42 appearances, starting 41, scoring 27 goals and assisting 6. In the Premier League, he netted 23 goals, finishing just behind Mohamed Salah for the golden boot.
Isak is a versatile forward with a height of 1.92 meters and excellent speed and technique. He can play both as a target man in the box and drop deeper to link up play. His performances in the Premier League over the last three seasons have seen his market value rise to €120 million. Newcastle, however, have set a price tag of ￡150 million on their star striker. That said, Fenway Sports Group is confident that, should Isak express an interest in moving, the transfer fee will not be an issue for Liverpool.
Isak's contract runs until June 2028, and it will ultimately come down to whether the player is willing to leave Newcastle for the chance to compete for major trophies with a club like Liverpool.
2. Hugo Ekitiké
The 23-year-old French striker currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt, where he enjoyed an impressive season, making 48 appearances and scoring 22 goals while assisting 12. His market value stands at €75 million.
Ekitiké is 1.89 meters tall, but he is leaner compared to some of his counterparts. While he possesses excellent speed and technical ability, his physique can sometimes appear frail. Ekitiké's style of play is more akin to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, preferring to drift into space outside the box rather than operate purely as a poacher in the penalty area.
Despite his success at Frankfurt, Ekitiké's time at Paris Saint-Germain showed that, while his technical skills are undeniable, he thrives when he has a lot of ball control and prefers to set up plays from the edge of the box. Liverpool isn't the only club interested—Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United are also keeping an eye on the French forward, with Frankfurt's asking price set at €80 million.
3. Julian álvarez
álvarez, 25, moved to Atlético Madrid from Manchester City last season, but his form hasn’t skipped a beat. In 57 appearances across all competitions, he scored 29 goals and assisted 8, earning a market value of €100 million on Transfermarkt.
álvarez is a dynamic forward known for his intelligent movement, technical skills, and work rate—traits that fit perfectly with Slot’s tactical system. Before his move to Atlético, Liverpool had already been in talks with Manchester City about a potential swap involving Luis Díaz, but the deal fell through due to valuation differences.
álvarez is still settling into life at Atlético, where he enjoys a key tactical role and has numerous Argentine national team colleagues. To bring him back to the Premier League, Liverpool would need to offer a lucrative contract and the allure of competing for titles. A move for álvarez would almost certainly come with a price tag north of €120 million.
Conclusion
Out of these three strikers, both Isak and álvarez have already established themselves as top-tier forwards in the Premier League, and signing either would significantly improve Liverpool’s attacking options. However, both players come with a hefty price tag, and convincing their respective clubs to part with them will be a challenge.
As for Ekitiké, while he showed great promise last season, his physicality and ability to adapt to the Premier League remain questions.
Liverpool’s decision on which striker to pursue could well be a defining moment for their season. Will they manage to secure one of these high-profile players, or will they look elsewhere to bolster their attacking options? Only time will tell.
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