Hugo could prove to be an Ek of a good deal for Reds

Signing would help solve issue of lack of a regular central striker

- By IAN DOYLE

THE waiting game is now over, the speculation becoming actual fact. And soon there will be a much clearer picture as to who will be spearheading the Liverpool attack next season.

This has been a week in which ruminations behind the scenes among recruitment teams at the Reds and beyond were finally backed up by actions as the intrigue over two of Europe's most in-demand strikers rocketed up the agenda.

Sparked by Newcastle United's failed attempt to sign Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool are now the strong favourites and preferred choice of the 23-year-old Frenchman with discussions ongoing over thrashing out a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt worth in excess of £70million.

For all the talk of it being a power-play or smokescreen from the Reds to prompt Alexander Isak to agitate for a move away from Newcastle, that Liverpool have progressed so far down the road with the Ekitike deal suggests that appears unlikely. Ekitike is the man they want - at least most immediately.