New Striker Tops Liverpool Agenda Amid Nunez Uncertainty | OneFootball

Liverpool Face Key Decisions in Striker Hunt as Napoli Star Becomes Transfer Option

Summer Rebuild Begins with Search for Reliable Goalscorer

Liverpool’s pursuit of a new centre-forward is gathering momentum. After another inconsistent season from their current No.9, the club appears ready to cut ties and reinvest in a forward who can deliver regularly at the highest level. As Liverpool.com reports, “Liverpool’s desire to sign a new striker this summer is an open secret, with the club expected to recruit a replacement for Darwin Nunez.”

Nunez, though admired for his athleticism and work rate, has not delivered with the consistency expected of a £64 million signing. Across 138 appearances, he’s returned just 40 goals — a modest return for a team aiming to compete across multiple fronts. With interest from Saudi clubs in January and expectations of a busy market in the summer, Liverpool may finally be prepared to listen to offers.

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“Al-Hilal reportedly offered $85 million in January, which in retrospect Liverpool probably wishes it had accepted,” the report continues, highlighting the financial pressure to secure value in any outgoing deal.

Napoli Star Considered — But Price and Wages Remain Issues

Among the options being explored, Napoli’s leading striker has emerged as a genuine candidate — but not without complications. While admired by Liverpool’s recruitment staff, financial realities may quickly intervene.

Napoli have held firm over the striker’s valuation. “Considering the player’s contract in Naples is due to expire in the summer of 2026, there is no chance that any club will be paying that amount of money this year for a player that could be available for free 12 months down the line.”

The striker’s hefty release clause of $148 million, combined with salary demands, led to Chelsea pulling out of negotiations last summer. “Also, Osimhen’s refusal to accept a lower salary was a major factor in Chelsea not stepping up its interest in the 26-year-old last summer. His salary would have to fit into Liverpool’s wage structure.”

It’s a deal that would require compromise — both from Napoli and the player himself — for Liverpool to seriously advance.

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Isak, Alvarez and Other Alternatives

Newcastle United’s striker is considered a more stylistic fit, but financial expectations could price Liverpool out once again. “The chances of Isak being available for what Liverpool would deem an acceptable price are slim,” states Liverpool.com, adding that while Julian Alvarez could be an intriguing option, his availability is questionable after just one season at his current club.

Liverpool’s strategy under Arne Slot will likely be a mixture of pragmatism and ambition. The striker must be more than just a finisher — he must fit a high-pressing system, offer link-up play, and have the technical quality to operate in tight spaces.

Outgoings Must Fund Incomings

Any significant arrival is likely contingent on player sales. Nunez is the obvious departure, while Diogo Jota remains a possible, albeit less likely, exit given his injury issues and current role in the squad.

“There has been some talk that Diogo Jota could leave too after a disappointing season which has been hampered by fitness issues and poor form, but he is ahead of Nunez in the pecking order under Slot,” the report explains.

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With Financial Fair Play and squad balance in mind, Liverpool’s recruitment must be shrewd — the days of inflated, headline-grabbing deals feel a world away.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool, this feels like a crucial moment. Nunez has had time, chances, and patience from the Anfield faithful — but the numbers don’t lie. Missed chances, erratic decision-making, and limited build-up play have all contributed to his slide down the pecking order.

Replacing him won’t be easy. The striker market is thin, inflated, and often full of risk. That’s why fans are intrigued by the Napoli star. He brings pace, power, and genuine presence in the box. But if his fee and wages damage the club’s structure, it’s not worth it.

More importantly, the next striker must fit Slot’s vision. This isn’t about individual brilliance; it’s about chemistry, movement, and intelligence. Isak ticks those boxes. So too, perhaps, does Alvarez. But the message is clear: this summer is about precision, not panic.

Whoever comes in must be ready to wear the No.9 shirt at Anfield — not as a burden, but as a beacon for a new era.