Liverpool Eye Ekitike as Potential Núñez Replacement Amid Firm Stance on Díaz

July 11 – In his latest column, renowned journalist Ben Jacobs provided key updates on Liverpool’s summer transfer plans, revealing the club’s cautious yet strategic approach to reinforcing their attack.

Ekitike Talks Pending Núñez Departure
Initial Contact Made: Liverpool have expressed interest in Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (22), with intermediaries relaying their intent to begin negotiations. However, any move hinges on the sale of Darwin Núñez, whose future remains uncertain.
Valuation Standoff: Frankfurt firmly values Ekitike at £86M (€100M), leveraging his four-year contract and lack of financial pressure to sell. The player’s wages exceed £80k/week after bonuses.
Competition Cooling: While Newcastle, Chelsea, Al-Hilal, and Al-Qadsiah have shown interest, Liverpool currently lead the race due to rival clubs’ inactivity. Frankfurt insists they’ll only consider a fee reduction if a late-window opportunity arises.

Díaz Off-Limits Amid Bayern Links
No Negotiations: Liverpool have flatly rejected Bayern Munich’s informal approaches for Luis Díaz (27), reiterating the Colombian is not for sale.
Zero Tolerance: The club has refused to engage with Bayern and expects no formal bids, emphasizing Díaz’s importance to Arne Slot’s plans.

Strategic Context
Domino Effect: Núñez’s potential exit (with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid monitoring) would trigger Liverpool’s push for Ekitike, a profile that aligns with Slot’s preference for versatile, high-pressing forwards.
Financial Prudence: Frankfurt’s rigid stance tests Liverpool’s resolve, but the Reds’ reluctance to overpay mirrors their recent transfer discipline (e.g., walking away from Caicedo/Lavia bids in 2023).

Next Steps:
All eyes are on Núñez’s situation, with Liverpool needing clarity before the August window crunch. Meanwhile, their firm stance on Díaz signals a commitment to retaining core assets.