Liverpool 'working on' Alexander Isak alternative they could sign for half the price

Liverpool are reportedly working on a deal that could bring Hugo Ekitike to Anfield as an Alexander Isak alternative, but the Reds may have to bide their time before striking an agreement. It's been a frantic start to the summer for Liverpool, who have already welcomed Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz to the club.

The Premier League champions' spending spree could continue into the summer though, with a striker said to be on Arne Slot's wishlist. It comes amid an uncertain future for Darwin Nunez, with Newcastle's Isak mooted as Liverpool's No.1 pick.

But considering some reports have suggested Newcastle will hold out for a whopping £200million, it's likely Liverpool will have to explore other options. One being Ekitike, who enjoyed a stellar season for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga and is being linked with a move to one of Europe's elite clubs.

It's been claimed that Frankfurt have slapped a hefty £84m valuation on Ekitike's shoulders, which has initially put teams off from making a move. However, according to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, the German outfit could change their asking price the longer the summer goes on, with claims the Frenchman's price tag could drop from £84m to £70m, which would trigger the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool to swoop.

There's no guarantee of that happening though, given Eintracht currently find themselves in a strong negotiating position. They bagged £59m from the sale of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in January and finished inside the Bundesliga's Champions League spots, opening themselves up to the riches of Europe's most prestigious club competition next season. As such, sporting director Markus Krosche recently told the Wiesbadener Kurier: "We don't have to sell Hugo, iif the price isn't right, then he'll stay."

Liverpool will have until September 1 to wrap up any summer transfer dealings, including outgoings. The aforementioned Nunez is said to be attracting interest from Serie A champions Napoli, but much like Liverpool with Ekitike, the Italian outfit are unwilling to match Liverpool's initial valuation.

Elsewhere, Harvey Elliott, who shone for England at the U21 Euros this summer, is heavily linked with a move away from Liverpool. Clubs across the Premier League are believed to be interested, with Liverpool's asking price having been set at £40m with a release clause and £50m without.