Liverpool target Hugo Ekitike has reportedly submitted a transfer request at Eintracht Frankfurt in a bid to seal his move to Anfield.
The Frenchman has become Liverpool's prime target this summer, with the Premier League champions seemingly moving on from Newcastle's star Alexander Isak, who could have set them back by more than £125million had the Magpies been willing to part with their Swedish goal machine.
Liverpool have since made their move for Ekitike - a player also pursued by Newcastle, who even had a £70m offer for the striker turned down. But he made clear his preference was to join the Reds, leading to Newcastle pulling out of the competition to secure his signature this summer transfer window.
With Isak, 25, seemingly staying put, Liverpool are now leading the race for Ekitike's signature, buoyed by signs that he's eager to join Arne Slot's team, who won the Premier League at a canter in his debut season at the helm last year.
The 20-time title winners might even have to cough up Ekitike's release clause, believed to be around £86.5m, but they have the PSR headroom to make such a bold move, and he still comes as a more affordable option than Isak, reports the Mirror.
To ensure the transfer goes ahead, the 23-year-old French international has now put in a transfer request at Frankfurt.
As per Sport Bild, Ekitike is prepared to push for his big move and has taken the initiative.
It was claimed Newcastle had plans to pair Ekitike with Isak, but it seems Liverpool have scuppered that strategy.
Slot already boasts a wealth of attacking talent with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa, although the future of Nunez in particular remains unclear.
The Dutch manager is keen to alleviate the goalscoring pressure on Salah and bolster the front line with more high-calibre competition. The club demonstrated their commitment to a formidable attacking force by turning down Bayern Munich's £58.6m bid for Luis Diaz.
Liverpool have already secured six new signings this summer - including Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and record purchase Florian Wirtz - who joined for a British record transfer fee of £116.5m.
The Reds have also greeted the addition of goalkeeper Giorgi Marmadashvili from Valencia and have enlisted shot-stopper Freddie Woodman following his departure from Preston and Armin Pecsi.
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