Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler believes his former club should break with tradition and sign an experienced 18-cap England frontman to lead their attack next season, having explained why Arne Slot will have to reluctantly walk away from a deal for Newcastle\u2019s Alexander Isak.<\/p>\n
The Merseysiders are still in dreamland after wrapping up the Premier League title with four games to spare, capping off what has been a truly magnificent first season at Anfield for Slot. But with the Dutchman keen to put his own stamp down on the side and create a long-lasting dynasty at Liverpool<\/a>, Slot has been cleared to spend big money on player upgrades this summer.<\/p>\n With TEAMtalk transfer insider Fraser Fletcher first breaking news in February of a likely \u00a3200m budget and what sources described to him as a \u2018historic summer\u2019, we have been told that the Liverpool priorties this summer will focus on three positions: a long-term heir for Virgil van Dijk, a left-back to ultimately take the place of Andy Robertson, and a new striker capable of scoring goals and who can take some of the burden off Mo Salah\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n The hunt for a new No.9 is certainly an intriguing one. Slot\u2019s dream signing is understood to be Newcastle frontman Isak. The Swede has enjoyed another excellent season, scoring 26 times in 39 appearances and delivering the sort of performances that make him one of the world\u2019s most coveted strikers.<\/p>\n However, with Newcastle likely to demand a fee in excess of \u00a3130m \u2013 comfortably a new British record \u2013 Liverpool are likely to find themselves priced out of a move.<\/p>\n But speaking to The i<\/a>, Fowler has encouraged the Reds to break with tradition and move to sign Aston Villa<\/a> frontman Ollie Watkins<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n \u201cThe problem is clubs know that they are potentially on the lookout for a number nine, so the prices will become silly,\u201d Fowler began.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at Isak, he\u2019s going to be \u00a3100m plus easily. He\u2019s a wonderful player, but Liverpool may not want to pay that, and they\u2019ll look around.\u201d<\/p>\n Liverpool\u2019s transfer model sees them sign players who are still to enter their peak years; making superstars, rather than buying them, if you like.<\/p>\n Despite that, Fowler is encouraging a move for 29-year-old Watkins, who has 171 goals from 466 career appearances.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could look at Ollie Watkins,\u201d Fowler adds. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t really fit the model in terms of what Liverpool want, given his age, but I\u2019d go and get him for a couple of years because he\u2019s a tremendous player and established and experienced in the Premier League.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/strong>\u00a0\ud83d\udd34\u00a0Ten strikers on Liverpool radar\u00a0 Slot could turn to as Darwin Nunez upgrade<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Villa open to Watkins sale, but Reds prefer Bundesliga striker<\/strong><\/p>\n While Aston Villa<\/a> had no hesitation rejecting a cheeky lowball offer from Arsenal in January for Watkins, a summer sale could yet be on the cards if Unai Emery\u2019s side are presented with an attractive offer for the 18-times capped England striker.<\/p>\n And with the Midlanders looking to reinvest in their squad to help fund deals for several top targets \u2013 loanee Marcus Rashford among them \u2013 Watkins could find himself a surprise victim of Emery and Monchi\u2019s plans to establish Villa as one of English football\u2019s leading clubs.<\/p>\n However, while he is a player of interest to the Reds, they are instead expected to pursue a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike instead.<\/p>\n The Bundesliga side are open to his sale, though could seek a fee as high as \u20ac100m (\u00a385m, $113m) this summer.<\/p>\n According to journalist\u00a0Lewis Steele, the wiry 6ft 3in frontman is now the striker\u00a0the Reds are \u2018most interested in\u2019 this summer.<\/p>\n In a Q&A in the\u00a0Daily Mail<\/a>, the journalist replied:\u00a0\u201cHugo Ekitike is the name that pops up the most when I speak to people, so I think it is fair to say he is one to keep a close eye on.<\/p>\n \u201cThe France Under 21 star has scored 19 goals and made eight assists for Eintracht Frankfurt this season and ticks a lot of boxes in terms of his age profile and experience \u2013 he is playing every week in a top league and has European experience, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Liverpool latest: Early Trent exit sanctioned; big deal for low-paid star<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Liverpool are reported to have sanctioned Trent Alexander-Arnold\u2019s early departure to Real Madrid\u00a0before\u00a0his deal is due to officially expire with the move to net the Reds a welcome financial boost<\/a> \u2013 while Richard Hughes has also held talks over a deal for a top Brazilian star tipped as his replacement.<\/p>\n