Liverpool are looking to continue their blockbuster summer transfer window with a move for French forward Hugo Ekitike.

Newcastle have already submitted a bid for the Eintracht Frankfurt forward, but now The Athletic claim the Reds have also made contact.

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The Magpies had a £65million offer rejected for the 23-year-old who had a career-best 22-goal season last time out.

talkSPORT has learned that Frankfurt’s executives are firm on their €100m (£87m) valuation for the forward, who until last season, struggled to meet high expectations.

Ekitike made a significant impact with his boyhood club Reims in 2021 and was seen as a future star for France. However, he did not meet the high expectations, especially after a failed transfer to Paris Saint-Germain where he saw limited playing time.

Now he’s attracting the attention of some of the Premier League’s best, with champions Liverpool now entering the frame.

The Reds are on the lookout for a new striker with Darwin Nunez on the market and valued at £59m.

In a precursor to their interest in Ekitike, Liverpool has communicated to Newcastle their willingness to set a British record by offering £120m for star forward Alexander Isak.

The Magpies, though, value the player at £150m.

Yet as it stands, both Isak and Ekitike are being valued by their current employers well above what Liverpool are willing to pay.

Explaining the Ekiteke situation in more detail, talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs said: “At the moment he’s €100m and Frankfurt are sticking to that price.

“I think Chelsea realise if they just wait a little bit until later in the summer that price may drop.

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“I think we’re hearing a lot of noise out of Germany to create a bidding war.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if Liverpool don’t get Isak and eventually give up that they move on and that Ekitike is high in their thinking.

“Later in the window that price might drop from €100m to somewhere close to €85m which is when the likes of maybe Chelsea and Liverpool might finally make their move.”

Such a move for either striker would continue what’s already been a blockbuster summer for Liverpool who have spent close to £200m after their league title win last season.

Arne Slot’s side responded to the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid by bringing in a new right back in Jeremie Frimpong, and they then added his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz for a British record £116m.

Milos Kerkez was next through the door for £40m, and talkSPORT understands the club are interested in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi after selling academy product Jarell Quansah to Leverkusen.

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