Report: Liverpool competing to sign £21.7m striker with more goals than Hugo Ekitike in 25/26

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool may need to strengthen their forward line after Hugo Ekitike suffered a long-term injury.Potential replacements for Ekitike are already being mooted, with the striker currently out for the remainder of the season, the World Cup and potentially into the start of next term.The Frenchman has 17 goals across all competitions in 2025/26, making him Liverpool’s top goalscorer. But reported Reds target Franculino Dju has more.

You can only pick ONE player for Liverpool to sign this summer, who is it? Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones Liverpool in transfer race for Franculino DjuFranculino joined Danish side Midtjylland on a free transfer from Benfica back in 2023.The 21-year-old, who is under contract until 2029, has now firmly cemented himself as a key figure in their attack, scoring 55 goals in 106 matches while also providing 13 assists.He has had an especially prolific 2025/26, finding the back of the net on 22 occasions in 33 matches.Now, Estadio Deportivo have provided an insight into the transfer interest in the striker, with a number of clubs keen.In Spain, Real Betis are thought to be especially eager to get a deal done, with Franculino given a value of over €25m (around £21.7m) by Midtjylland.That would, according to the report, make him the biggest sale in Danish Superliga history to date.However, there is also a lot of interest in the centre-forward’s services from England.All of Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester United and Everton are thought to be looking at the player, while elsewhere in Europe, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, and AS Roma are mooted as potential destinations.Meanwhile, Midtjylland club president Claus Steinlein has already said this season that he is expecting a big sale in the upcoming summer window.He stated: “I would be very disappointed if we don’t achieve the biggest sale in history, both for FC Midtjylland and for Danish football, when we look at this summer’s transfer market.”Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox