Liverpool closing in on Hugo Ekitike in £70m-plus transfer deal

Liverpool are in advanced negotiations to sign French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth more than £70 million.

The Premier League champions are looking to finalise the transfer by the weekend, with Ekitike reportedly open to the move.

The Reds are keen to reinforce their attacking options with a central striker ahead of the new season. 

Newcastle United previously had a £70 million bid rejected for the 23-year-old, but Liverpool’s proposal is expected to exceed that figure. 

Ekitike enjoyed a standout campaign last season, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists in 31 starts as Frankfurt finished third in the Bundesliga. His creativity placed him among the top 6% of chance creators in the league among forwards.

Ekitike also led the Bundesliga in total shots with 117 and ranked second in expected goals (xG) with 21.6, highlighting his consistent threat in front of goal. His tactical flexibility and intelligent movement have made him a key target for Liverpool, especially as they seek to add depth and variety to their frontline.

Liverpool had also shown serious interest in Newcastle’s Swedish striker Alexander Isak, but the Magpies remain firm that the forward is not for sale at any price.

With Ekitike now firmly in focus, Newcastle are expected to turn their attention to Brentford’s Yoane Wissa as an alternative option and are likely to accelerate talks within the next 24 hours.

Ekitike’s journey has been marked by resilience and adaptability. After struggling for opportunities at Paris Saint-Germain, he was signed permanently by Frankfurt in 2024 following an initial loan. 

Under manager Dino Toppmoller, he played both as a lone striker and in tandem with Omar Marmoush before the latter was sold to Manchester City in January.

Ekitike stands out not just for his goal-scoring abilities but also for his tactical awareness and pressing intelligence.

While not the most explosive player, his smart positioning and ability to interchange roles with teammates make him a versatile attacking asset, qualities that could prove invaluable at Anfield next season.