After wasting £64 million on Darwin Nunez, Liverpool are once again investing a massive amount of money in an unproven talent in Hugo Ekitike - will the gamble pay off this time?

The Reds are recruiting from a position of strength having secured the Premier League title last season but know they must spend big to acquire their long-term No.9. They have whittled their search down to two players: Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.

Liverpool have made contact with Eintracht Frankfurt over a possible move for Hugo Ekitike, who is also being targeted by Newcastle United. The Athletic reported on July 14 that Newcastle tried to secure Ekitike via an offer worth around €75million (£64.9m; $86.9m), which was turned down by Frankfurt.

Ekitike’s former youth coach Jean-Philippe, AKA ‘Nano’, spoke with GOAL in 2021 and explained some of the qualities he exuded as a young boy, which have continued into his playing career as an adult.

Liverpool is closing in on a deal to sign Hugo Ekitike and if the Reds' track record in the transfer market over the last 10 years is anything to go by, he will probably be a roaring success