Hugo Ekitike could be denied dream Liverpool shirt number by top Reds star

Liverpool are in talks to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike after discovering that Newcastle are unwilling to sell Alexander Isak to a Premier League rival

Liverpool appear to be closing in on their new striker as they remain locked in discussions with Eintracht Frankfurt over a deal to bring Hugo Ekitike to Anfield.

The Reds have already raided the Bundesliga twice this summer to sign Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, the latter joining for a British record transfer fee of £116million. And with Newcastle's Alexander Isak not for sale, Liverpool are now working on a blockbuster deal for Ekitike.

The 23-year-old is said to have already agreed personal terms with a six-year deal in place.

And with talks over a transfer fee continuing, Ekitike could soon become the Reds' latest big summer signing.

If Ekitike does put pen to paper in the coming weeks, then the Frenchman will likely have to pick a brand new squad number.

The striker dons the No 11 shirt at Frankfurt, who finished third in the Bundesliga last season. But that number is highly unlikely to be available to Ekitike given it is currently worn by Mohamed Salah.

He could, though, be the natural choice to pick up the No 9 shirt with Darwin Nunez expected to move on in the coming weeks.

The Uruguay striker continues to be linked with a move away and the signing of Ekitike in a big-money deal would almost certainly signal the end of Nunez's time at Anfield, though Napoli - arguably his most high-profile suitor - have now effectively walked away from a deal.

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Ekitike was also a target for Newcastle this summer after registering 22 goals and 12 assists last season. But the Magpies failed to agree a fee with Frankfurt and have now moved on to other targets, leaving Liverpool with a clear run to sign the striker.

If the Reds can strike an agreement with Frankfurt to sign Ekitike then the promising young frontman will become the latest top player to depart the club, following Omar Marmoush in January.

Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche has already conceded Ekitike's future lies away from the Bundesliga outfit.

"He's one of the most interesting strikers on the European market. Hugo has to decide that," he told Sport 1. "I'm glad we have him. If he decides otherwise, that's our motto: If a player develops faster than us, we let him go."