Liverpool’s next plans after Florian Wirtz revealed with HUGE striker transfer hijack ON

Liverpool are reportedly making plans to follow up the signing of Florian Wirtz by gazumping Premier League rivals Chelsea to the capture of Hugo Ekitike – while the Reds have also cleared the path for seven stars to depart Anfield in the coming weeks.

The Premier League champions have wasted no time in moving to strengthen Arne Slot’s title-winning squad, with Jeremie Frimpong signing on the dotted line before the transfer window officially opened. And while no new names have been added since, a deal for Milos Kerkez should soon be ratified in a move that will potentially give Liverpool not one, but two new full-back additions this summer.

However, it is the imminent signing of Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen that has really got supporters excited, with the 22-year-old playmaker on course to shatter numerous transfer records once the deal finally crosses the line.

Talks over his signing have continued on Tuesday between the Reds and the Bundesliga side, and there remains optimism a deal will be struck despite doubts creeping in suggesting an impasse has been reached over Liverpool’s point-blank refusal to meet Wirtz’s asking price.

While the Reds are not yet at the stage where they can park negotiations, the club are busy working behind the scenes on a number of other deals – and the next one of which is likely to be fueled by a number of high-profile departures.

And according to reports from Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool very much remain active in the hunt for Ekitike.

And while Eintracht Frankfurt have been locked in talks with Chelsea over a deal to sell the striker to the Blues, their refusal to meet the Bundesliga side’s asking price appears to have put their chances of a move on ice.

Indeed, per Plettenberg, Chelsea now have zero chance of landing the France Under-21 striker before Tuesday’s 7pm deadline ahead of the Club World Cup, backing up claims made by our man Fraser Fletcher earlier in the day.

And Chelsea’s delay could open the door again for Liverpool, with Plettenberg posting on X: ‘No agreement yet between Hugo Ekitike and Chelsea. Eintracht Frankfurt have also not received an official offer.

‘A participation in the Club World Cup is currently ruled out. Unclear how things will progress with Chelsea.