Liverpool appears to be satisfied with the idea of not acquiring a recognized striker this summer, even if they manage to facilitate a profitable departure for Darwin Núñez.
The Reds have emerged as the most proactive club in the initial weeks of this summer’s transfer window.
Prior to finalizing the agreement for Milos Kerkez, Liverpool’s total expenditure surpasses that of any other club worldwide and is nearly four times greater than their modest spending from the previous summer.
Record revenues and a previously tight financial situation ensure that Liverpool is not constrained by the Premier League’s stringent financial regulations; however, there is no assurance that this summer’s expenditures will include a new striker.
Núñez is believed to be open to joining Napoli this summer, thereby concluding his Liverpool tenure after three disappointing seasons.
The two clubs still need to reach an agreement on an appropriate fee—the Reds are reportedly seeking over £60 million ($81 million)—but even if they manage to secure such an amount, The Athletic suggests that there is “nothing significant” in terms of arranging a replacement.
Liverpool, along with the entirety of the Premier League and beyond, holds a strong admiration for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.
Additionally, there has been a surge of interest in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké.
The Magpies have effectively priced Isak out of the market, while Frankfurt is believed to be steadfast in their €100 million (£85.6 million, $115.5 million) valuation of their French talent.
Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenberg describes the club’s interest in Ekitiké as “serious.” However, aside from the financial aspects, there is also the potential for competing offers from Manchester United and Chelsea to take into account.
The Athletic highlights that the significant addition of Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s record-setting acquisition who excels in various attacking roles (often positioned behind a designated centre-forward), may diminish the necessity for an immediate replacement.
After all, Arne Slot has already secured one Premier League title without relying on a fixed striker.
During the 2024–25 season, Núñez and Diogo Jota managed to score only 11 goals in the top flight, which is fewer than the total achieved by Luis Díaz alone.
Mohamed Salah was responsible for the vast majority of Liverpool’s scoring and will now be accompanied by Wirtz, the only other player in Europe’s top five leagues to have achieved double digits in both goals and assists over the last two seasons.