Liverpool agree to sign Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike: Reports
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Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike celebrates during a Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Liverpool have agreed to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth an initial £69 million (S$119 million), according to reports on July 21.
The English Premier League champions switched their focus to Ekitike following Newcastle United’s refusal to sell Sweden striker Alexander Isak, whom they value at around £150 million.
Newcastle and Manchester United were also interested in Ekitike, but Liverpool look set to win the race for one of Europe’s hottest young stars.
The Reds are believed have agreed to potentially a further £10 million in add-ons to sign the 23-year-old Frenchman, whose overall price tag could reach £79 million.
Once the transfer is completed, Ekitike will link up with Arne Slot’s side on their pre-season tour of Asia.
The Guardian reported that the deal is a six-year contract and that he is scheduled for his medical examination in the UK on July 22, before officially putting pen to paper.
Thereafter, he will fly to Hong Kong. Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and medical staff remain in the UK to complete the transfer.
According to Bundesliga expert Constantin Eckner, who spoke on the BBC, Ekitike is “the latest success story of Frankfurt’s recruitment”.
“During the first half of last season Ekitike and Omar Marmoush formed a fearsome pairing, but this was broken up when Manchester City signed Marmoush for £63 million in January,” he said.
“Ekitike is versatile and not a striker who only feels at home inside the box. When he played alongside Marmoush, both swopped positions constantly.
“Ekitike might not be the most dynamic player, but he can get by defenders with smart moves. His tactical understanding is one of his great strengths, not just in possession but also when applying a high or midfield press.”
The numbers do not lie. Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Frankfurt last season after joining the Bundesliga club from Paris Saint-Germain.
He was an unused substitute during his side’s pre-season friendly against FSV Frankfurt on July 19, with Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller admitting Ekitike’s impending departure was “a bitter loss”.
Liverpool have an opening in their forward line after Diogo Jota’s recent death in a car crash in Spain.
The Reds are also believed to be willing to sell Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, while Colombia forward Luis Diaz has been the target of a rejected bid from Bayern Munich.
The English champions have already splashed out £116 million on Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, as well as signing defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively.
Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Slot’s side since the end of last season, after agreeing on his move from Valencia in 2024. AFP
