Liverpool transfer news as Man Utd joins $115M race and Napoli eyes double Arne Slot swoop

Liverpool transfer news as Man Utd joins $115M race and Napoli eyes double Arne Slot swoop

Liverpool transfer news as Manchester United joins the race for a $115M player and Napoli boss Antonio Conte is eyeing up a couple of Arne Slot's attacking stars.

Liverpool is yet to seal deals for Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez but the expectation is that the German and the Hungarian will be on their way to Anfield at some point. But what else do the Reds need to get sorted out?

Arne Slot already has a strong roster of players, but another center-back, ideally, would be found. That, though, like the other priorities that Liverpool might have, will depend a lot of who goes out of the exit door amid speculation surrounding the likes of Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah and many others.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. We start with the latest on Hugo Ekitike, who is now being linked with an extra club this summer.

Manchester United has joined Liverpool and Chelsea in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike, according to Sky Germany. The 22-year-old is valued at around $115 million (£84 million).

Ruben Amorim has already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves and is also chasing a deal for Brentford forward Bryan Mbuemo. But he also wants another number nine amid doubts over Rasmus Hojlund.

"If the price isn’t right, then he’ll just stay with us," Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche told Wiesbadener Kurier this week, issuing a clear message to transfer suitors. "We don't have to sell Hugo."

Ekitike is a really talented player but no one should be spending more than $100M on him this summer. Manchester United (and Chelsea) would be much likelier to overspend on such a player, but Liverpool doing so seems unlikely.

Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa

Liverpool forwards Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa are both on the radar of Serie A champion Napoli this summer, according to the Italian publication La Repubblica. It reports that Antonio Conte is keen on signing both players.

The former Chelsea and Spurs coach is said to be particularly "crazy" about Nunez, who is also drawing interest from Saudi Arabia.

Napoli has already snapped up Kevin De Bruyne and will soon cash in on Victor Osimhen, which could free up more funds. The Nigerian is available, though he isn't interested in heading to the Middle East.

As well as Napoli and the Saudi Pro League, Nunez is also said to interest Atletico Madrid.

Chiesa, meanwhile, has several options in Italy. Football Espana, meanwhile, says he could join Real Betis as a cheaper alternative to Antony, who might be priced out of joining the La Liga side on a permanent basis by Manchester United.

For both Nunez and Chiesa, it makes sense to move on this summer. The former's time on Merseyside has probably run its course, while the latter needs regular game time ahead of the World Cup. He is unlikely to get that under Arne Slot.