Liverpool agrees deal to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt

Liverpool has reached an agreement to sign French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. According to reports, the transfer deal is worth around $92 million.

After Newcastle United refused to sell Swedish forward Alexander Isak, Liverpool turned its focus to Ekitike. Liverpool had offered up to $120 million for Isak, but Newcastle valued him at around $150 million. That led Liverpool to look for other options.

Ekitike, one of Europe’s top young talents, was also on the radar of Newcastle and Manchester United. However, Liverpool won the race to sign him. Interestingly, Newcastle had also listed Ekitike as a backup option in case they sold Isak — but with Isak staying, Liverpool made Ekitike their main target.

Liverpool may have to pay an additional £10 million depending on Ekitike’s performance and the team’s success. The club is currently on a pre-season tour in Asia, and if the transfer goes through, Ekitike is expected to join the squad soon. He could officially become a Liverpool player by Tuesday.

The 23-year-old striker scored 22 goals in 48 games for Frankfurt last season. In the Bundesliga, he netted 15 goals and provided 8 assists in 31 appearances. He played alongside Omar Marmoush as part of Frankfurt’s front two in their 3–5–2 system. Marmoush was transferred to Manchester City in January for £63 million.

Ekitike was benched during Frankfurt’s recent pre-season friendly against FSV Frankfurt. Head coach Dino Toppmöller admitted that losing Ekitike would be a big blow for the team.

Liverpool has been in search of a new striker following the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota in a car accident in Spain last month. The club is also reportedly ready to sell Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez, who could be headed to Italian club Napoli. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich has made two unsuccessful bids for Colombian winger Luis Díaz.

In addition to Ekitike, Liverpool has already signed German playmaker Florian Wirtz and right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, and left-back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. Frimpong is expected to fill in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid, while Kerkez is seen as a backup for Andy Robertson.

Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also joined Liverpool’s squad. Although he was signed last year, he was sent on loan to Valencia.