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Opinion
Two winners and losers at Liverpool as Hugo Ekitike edges closer to Anfield move
Richard Hughes is proving he means business at Anfield as Liverpool shows no signs of slowing down in the summer transfer market, with Hugo Ekitike looking like the next addition to Arne Slot’s roster.
Despite marching to the Premier League title last season with Federico Chiesa, the only addition to Arne Slot’s squad, the story couldn’t be any more different this time around.
The Reds wasted no time strengthening the full-back positions with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez walking through the door on either side of Liverpool’s club-record signing of Florian Wirtz.
Now, according to David Ornstein, the Reds are closing in on a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth around £70 million, who is believed to prefer a move to Anfield over Newcastle United.
As an official announcement draws near, here are two potential winners and losers as Liverpool finally look to provide Slot with a new centre forward.
Winner: Mohamed Salah
Despite Mohamed Salah enjoying a record-breaking season at Liverpool, where he topped the highest goal contributions ever seen in a single Premier League campaign, he can be forgiven for feeling that he still missed a massive opportunity.
The Egyptian needed only three more assists in the final six games of the season to better Kevin de Bruyne’s and Thierry Henry’s record of 20, but ultimately came up short due to a lack of clinical edge in front of goal.
Salah created 27 big chances in the Premier League alone last term, with only 18 converted. He will undoubtedly relish the prospect of playing alongside Ekitike.
Ekitike registered 15 Bundesliga goals in 33 appearances, three times more than Darwin Nunez could muster at Anfield – Salah could finally have the focal point he needs to take the record this season.
Winner: Florian Wirtz
Liverpool demonstrated their pulling power by thwarting Bayern Munich and Manchester City in the pursuit of Wirtz’s signature.
The German will certainly replace the creativity lost when Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid and provide a serious goal threat from midfield, something Dominik Szoboszlai has thus far failed to deliver consistently.
Nevertheless, Wirtz can now add Ekitike to a growing list of attacking threats at Anfield, in a move which significantly increases the Reds’ chances of competing on all fronts.
There is always the chance that Ekitike fails to adapt immediately to English football, but after recording a 0.60 xG per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga last season, he has all the tools to hit the ground running with Wirtz behind him.
Loser: Darwin Nunez
With the impending arrival of a shiny new striker, it’s only a matter of time before Nunez calls time on his three-year stay at Liverpool.
The Uruguayan has failed to reach the heights promised when he arrived from Benfica, and although he has achieved cult-hero status among the supporters, now is the perfect time for all involved to move on.
A return of 25 goals in 95 league appearances is nowhere near the standard required to succeed at Anfield and is no doubt in turn due to his confidence in front of goal, as he averages 0.99 big chances missed per 90 minutes.
Napoli cooling their interest will make Hughes’ job more difficult; however, with plenty of interest in Nunez from the Saudi Pro League, it is a case of when, not if, he packs his bags.
Loser: Alexander Isak
The decision to move for Ekitike could mean the end of Liverpool’s pursuit of long-standing transfer target Alexander Isak.
Newcastle United responded to the Reds’ enquiry for the Swede by opening negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt for Ekitike, but after conceding defeat in the race, will now attempt to sign Brentford star Yoane Wissa.
Isak enjoyed his most prolific campaign at St James’ Park to date, with 27 goals across all competitions, including the winner against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Isak is open to moving to Liverpool despite Newcastle’s bullish stance. However, it appears he will remain on Tyneside, as Eddie Howe’s number one target makes the switch to Anfield.