Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of forward Hugo Ekitike, with the final details of the deal expected to be formalized within the next day.
Should all performance-related add-ons be met, the transfer could become a club-record sale for Frankfurt, surpassing the €95 million (£82.3m) they received from Paris Saint-Germain for Randal Kolo Muani in 2023. Personal terms with the 23-year-old are not anticipated to be an issue.
The move marks a significant step in Liverpool’s search for a new striker, a priority for the club this summer. The push for attacking reinforcements has been amplified by the tragic death of Diogo Jota, and the club is aware of the need to strengthen further despite the earlier acquisitions of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez.
Liverpool’s pursuit of a forward also saw them inquire about Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak in a potential deal worth around £120 million. Meanwhile, Newcastle had previously seen a €75 million offer for Ekitike rejected by Frankfurt and have since turned their attention to Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.
There could also be further changes to Liverpool’s front line, as the club is open to offers for Darwin Nunez. Luis Diaz has also informed them of his desire to leave amid interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Ekitike joined Frankfurt from PSG, initially on loan in January 2024 before the move was made permanent for €17.5 million. After a promising loan spell where he contributed four goals and two assists in 14 games, he excelled last season, registering 22 goals and 12 assists, earning him a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.
The French forward, who has been capped five times at the under-21 level, is increasingly viewed as a complete modern attacker. His partnership with Omar Marmoush at Frankfurt was one of the most dangerous in the Bundesliga, showcasing his versatility as both a clinical goalscorer and a devastating counter-attacker. Ekitike is a menace whether playing centrally or from the left, capable of creating chances with skillful dribbling and well-weighted passes.
A highly technical player, he also possesses a formidable and surprising aerial presence in the penalty area. While he is still developing and must improve his clinical efficiency, his ability to beat defenders with both speed and skill makes him one of the most exciting talents in German football.
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