Liverpool make new No 9 their 'top priority' with Nunez exit talks accelerate

Liverpool are prioritising the acquisition of a 'top striker', with talks over Darwin Nunez's departure set to accelerate, a report has claimed.

The Uruguayan has been linked with Napoli and Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal but a move to the Serie A champions could be difficult with Liverpool believed to be demanding a fee in the region of £70million for the striker.

Still, it is reportedly expected that a move for the 26-year-old will progress soon.

According to The Athletic, Newcastle's Alexander Isak and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike 'remain prominent in their thinking'. Though the report is keen to stress that 'various factors' must align for the interest to develop.

Furthermore, it has been claimed that Reds sporting director Richard Hughes admired Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson when operating in his previous role as the transfer chief of Bournemouth.

And a move for the Senegal international would have been more realistic if he was not now a Blues player.

In addition to the three forwards mentioned, Liverpool's potential striking targets earlier in the window also included Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Joao Pedro.

However, now six weeks into the window, several of those names on their long list have already secured moves or are closing in on summer transfers.

Chelsea signed Pedro for £60m at the start of the month, while Osimhen and Gyokeres are close to completing moves to Galatasaray and Arsenal respectively.

Elsewhere, Ekitike, who 'remains prominent in the Premier League champions' thinking', has been the subject of an offer from Newcastle, the home of another of their ideal targets Isak.

Liverpool have already completed  three major signings this summer at great expense. Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Milos Kerkez have been signed for a combined £185m.

The club has rebuffed approaches for winger Luis Diaz on at least two occasions, meaning that if this stance holds, the Reds' priority is on adding a central striker but, given their financial outlay, player sales may be necessary.

And Nunez appears the most imminent departure. Last week, reports in Italy claimed that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has reportedly taken to personally conducting transfer negotiations for the striker.

According to Corriere dello Sport, De Laurentiis has been personally speaking to Fali Ramadani, who is brokering the deal.

Napoli reportedly have an alternative to Nunez on the cards. Udinese's Lorenzo Lucca is also on the club's shortlist, but it's thought the 24-year-old Italy international would cost £34m himself.

Napoli are, however, retaining their interest in Nunez, and must decide if they are willing to pay extra to sign him instead of Lucca.

The tragic death of Diogo Jota is also likely to have altered the club's plans for the rest of the window. The Portuguese was an important squad member under Arne Slot last term and, despite links with a move away, he was expected to play another significant role at Anfield this term.