Liverpool manager Arne Slot plans to further strengthen his title-winning squad

The chances of Liverpool signing Hugo Ekitike are growing, with Fabrizio Romano having confirmed he is a top target and Eintracht Frankfurt already bringing in a replacement striker.

The Liverpool squad have returned for pre-season training and have been paying tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva after the brothers were tragically killed in a car accident on July 3. Liverpool have confirmed Jota and Silva will be commemorated when the Reds play Preston North End in a friendly on Sunday.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes rightly paused all transfer talks in the immediate aftermath of Jota’s passing, with everyone at Anfield putting all their effort into honouring their Portuguese forward.

Both fans and players have laid flowers, wreaths and shirts down outside Anfield to pay tribute to Jota.

Liverpool will continue to honour Jota and Silva in the coming weeks and months. Alongside these heartfelt efforts, Hughes is preparing to re-enter the transfer market to continue preparations for Liverpool’s Premier League title defence.

Liverpool have gone big in the summer window, breaking their transfer record on Florian Wirtz while also signing Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Freddie Woodman.

Darwin Nunez is expected to leave Merseyside and this will open the door for a new striker to join Arne Slot’s squad.

Ekitike is emerging as a leading contender to become Liverpool’s new No 9. According to TBR, Liverpool recruitment chiefs have been deeply ‘impressed’ by Ekitike after he bagged 22 goals in 48 matches for Frankfurt last term.

Frankfurt are bracing themselves for Liverpool to make an offer for the Frenchman and have prepared for his exit by signing a replacement, Jonathan Burkardt. He was signed from Mainz for €23million (£20m / $27m).

The report also names two key factors in Liverpool’s pursuit of Ekitike. The first is his price, as Liverpool do not want to match Frankfurt’s lofty €100m (£86.5m / $117m) valuation.

Liverpool ‘believe Frankfurt will eventually reduce their asking price’, which will in turn allow talks for the 23-year-old to ramp up.

Secondly, Liverpool will swoop for Ekitike if they are unable to land ‘dream target’ Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.

David Ornstein has confirmed that Newcastle will not sell Isak under any circumstances this summer, forcing Liverpool to pursue Ekitike instead.

Fabrizio Romano revealed last week that ‘discussions’ are underway for Liverpool to bring Ekitike to the Premier League.

“Liverpool are working on this deal. Liverpool are discussing the possibility of adding Hugo Ekitike to their squad,” he said. “The idea of Liverpool is to have one more striker, and they are waiting to understand what happens with Darwin Nunez, with conversations ongoing with Napoli.”

Hugo Ekitike lined up to replace Darwin Nunez

Romano added: “Liverpool can add a new striker. They are waiting to find a solution for Darwin, so Hugo Ekitike remains a name on the list for Liverpool. Of course, this is not a deal happening today or tomorrow, so we need to be patient, but Ekitike is one of the names on the list for Liverpool.”

Intermediaries have informed Frankfurt that Liverpool will soon begin official talks to try and forge an agreement, as per reports earlier on Friday.

Ekitike grew up supporting Manchester United but is now thrilled at the prospect of joining rivals Liverpool after their league triumph last term.

Nunez, in contrast, is on his way out and has agreed to join Napoli after failing to impress Slot. Napoli have already had a bid rejected for the Uruguayan and are aiming to get closer to Liverpool’s £65-70m (up to €81m / $94.5m) demands.

Liverpool transfer news: Diaz replacement; Real Madrid ‘contact’

Meanwhile, Liverpool have reportedly decided who they want to replace Luis Diaz on the left wing.

The Reds have already lost to Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid and now the Spanish giants are plotting another raid.

A report has claimed that ‘contact’ is underway for Madrid to sign a second top Liverpool star.