Liverpool's Transfer Blueprint: Five Essential Signings to Complete After Landing Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool have been extremely active in this summer's transfer window, but they need to keep securing deals before the market closes.
After staying relatively quiet last summer, the Reds have been actively strengthening their Premier League championship-winning roster. Florian Wirtz has been the standout acquisition for £116 million, while Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have addressed problems in the fullback positions. Giorgi Mamardashvili, acquired last summer from Valencia, has now joined up with his new teammates as well.
Hugo Ekitiké becomes part of the mentioned group heading to Merseyside next season following an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for his transfer. The 23-year-old was outstanding in the Bundesliga last campaign and possesses the qualities to become a top-class striker.
Nevertheless, Liverpool cannot become complacent after securing Ekitiké's transfer and need to keep doing business before the transfer window closes on Sept. 1.
Here are five transactions they need to complete.
Marc Guéhi
Having strengthened their defense, midfield and forward line already, Liverpool truly only need one more signing: a new center-back. Jarell Quansah's £35 million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer has left the Reds short in the center of their defense, with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez as their only experienced central defensive choices.
Wataru Endō and Ryan Gravenberch have sometimes operated at center-back, while Andy Robertson has covered the role previously. However, realistically, Liverpool must make a signing to prevent disappointment later on.
Marc Guéhi has been most frequently connected with arriving as Quansah's replacement and the Crystal Palace defender would be an outstanding addition. The 25-year-old has repeatedly demonstrated his worth for the Eagles and England with solid displays at the top level, while he's also capable of playing on the left side of a partnership.
Guéhi, who would qualify as a homegrown player and help Liverpool's squad registration issues, will be an expensive signing—approximately £40-60 million—but with his contract at Selhurst Park ending in 2026, maybe the Reds can work out a reduced price.
Darwin Núñez
Darwin Núñez will certainly be the biggest casualty from Ekitiké's signing. The Uruguayan already had one foot outside Anfield after a disappointing 2024–25 campaign saw tolerance wear thin, but the French striker's arrival only moves Núñez nearer to departure.
Considering how much Liverpool have invested this summer, they urgently need to recover finances. Thus far, the Reds have generated £66 million from sales—just over half of Wirtz's fee—and the revenue must keep flowing in before the summer window ends. Núñez represents a straightforward path to some essential funds.
Napoli had been in discussions for the 26-year-old but Liverpool's reported valuation of around £60-70 million caused them to look elsewhere. AC Milan are believed to maintain interest, while Saudi Arabian clubs are eager and could certainly afford Núñez's high price tag.
Whatever club signs Núñez, Liverpool must move him on quickly.
Federico Chiesa
Another fitness setback has resulted in Federico Chiesa being excluded from Liverpool's pre-season tour to Asia and those injury concerns are a major reason for his disappointing beginning to life on Merseyside. Despite being signed only last summer, the Italian could already be departing this summer.
Chiesa has been connected with a return to Serie A as his Anfield struggles seemingly approach an end, with Liverpool unlikely to block any move. Naturally, should Luis Díaz leave for Bayern Munich, the Reds might need to reconsider plans for Chiesa or risk starting the new season short-handed on the wings.
In a perfect scenario, however, Díaz would remain at Anfield and Chiesa would leave, possibly creating space in Liverpool's squad for another signing or the advancement of an academy prospect like Ben Doak.
Harvey Elliott
Wirtz's arrival was unfortunate news for Harvey Elliott, who already found himself battling for playing time under Arne Slot. The attacking midfielder managed only two Premier League starts last season and now sits behind Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai in the hierarchy, with departure speculation circulating.
Following his Player of the Tournament display at the recent Under-21 European Championship, Elliott has clearly put himself on the market and he definitely hasn't dismissed the chance of leaving Anfield this summer.
While Liverpool will be somewhat hesitant to let such a talented homegrown player leave, he could be another valuable source of income. The Reds are anticipated to ask for around £40 million for the 22-year-old and an exit could be the ideal resolution for both sides.
Ibrahima Konaté
Liverpool's requirement to sign a new center-back is made even more urgent by Ibrahima Konaté's worrying contract circumstances. The defender's agreement expires next summer and, currently, discussions over fresh terms have stalled. However, the Reds cannot afford to lose such a player, who is already drawing attention from Real Madrid.
Securing a new contract for Konaté is extremely important and Liverpool fans will be hoping that a fresh deal is arranged promptly. They won't want to see a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold scenario, nor will they want to watch the Reds delay as long as they did to confirm new contracts for Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah last season.
Konaté is allegedly determined to receive £200,000 per week at Liverpool—more than twice his current £80,000 per week salary—and the Reds may well need to meet his requirements.