Fabrizio Romano drops MASSIVE hint that Liverpool have won striker race

Fabrizio Romano dropped some news this week that doesn't directly involve Liverpool. And yet it's a massive hint that the Reds have won a transfer race.

Liverpool want to sign a striker this summer - there can't be any doubt about that. The Reds weren't happy with their options last season and are busy clearing the way for a new arrival.

Sign up to the NEW Anfield Watch Newsletter

READ MORE: Liverpool's 2025/26 Premier League fixtures

Darwin Nunez is expected to leave the club, with several clubs looking into a deal. Napoli appear to be at the front of the queue for now but things could change there.

His exit, though, points to an arrival. Liverpool have the money to make it a special one, too, and that's why they've been consistently linked with the most in-demand forwards across Europe.

One of those is Hugo Ekitike. The Frenchman has plenty of admirers, however, driving his price up and making it difficult for Liverpool to find value for money.

But have they actually won the race there? It certainly sounds like it.

READ MORE: Liverpool set to break transfer record for SECOND time

Liverpool and Hugo Ekitike

It's been consistently reported since January that Liverpool like Ekitike. What they don't like - and no one else seems to, either - is the asking price of €100m.

Though, it hasn't been enough to force them out of the race. Just last week, Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg suggested Liverpool were firmly fighting for him against Chelsea.

We wrote that it looks like Liverpool are in the driving seat shortly afterwards. That's now taken another major step forward.

Fabrizio Romano, talking on his YouTube channel, dropped that Chelsea are firmly interested in Joao Pedro of Brighton. We're big fans of the Brazilian, too, though it doesn't appear that Liverpool are in for him.

Though, Chelsea's interest is a positive sign. Romano goes on to say that the Blues don't like Ekitike's price and are essentially moving on from him.

And with that, Liverpool lose their key rival for the Frenchman. We're not 100 per cent sure that the Reds will push forward on Ekitike until they're certain Alexander Isak is off the table.

READ MORE: Liverpool want centre-back who BEAT Van Dijk to Premier League record

But Romano's update here on Chelsea's plans is a real hint that Ekitke is Liverpool's if they want him.