Liverpool are progressing in negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt to sign striker Hugo Ekitike, with a proposed transfer package valued at over €80 million (£69.2m). Personal terms with the 23-year-old French international are not expected to pose an obstacle.
Ekitike has consistently favored a move to Anfield despite interest from other Premier League clubs. Newcastle United saw a €75 million offer for the striker rejected by Frankfurt and have since shifted their focus to Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. While Manchester United also admire Ekitike, they have yet to make a formal approach.
The move comes after a standout season for Ekitike, who scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions for the Bundesliga side. He joined Frankfurt permanently from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024 for €17.5 million following a successful loan spell.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Ekitike addresses a clear need to reinforce their attack, with the club open to offers for Darwin Nunez and winger Luis Diaz having expressed his desire to leave. The search for a new No. 9 has been a priority for manager Arne Slot, and while Liverpool also communicated interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak for a deal around £120m, Ekitike has emerged as the preferred target.
At 23, Ekitike fits Liverpool’s strategy of acquiring players with significant first-team experience and high potential for further development. While not considered the finished article in the same vein as Isak, his profile is highly attractive. A tall, quick, and technically skilled forward, Ekitike offers a focal point to complement attackers like Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz. His clever movement, clinical finishing, and athleticism on the counter-attack make him an ideal candidate to lead Liverpool’s front line.
This potential signing continues a busy summer for Liverpool, who have already secured playmaker Florian Wirtz in a club-record deal, his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong, and Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez.
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