Liverpool have reportedly reached a £79 million agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt to sign highly-rated striker Hugo Ekitike. The 23-year-old French forward is poised to become the Reds’ fourth major summer signing as they continue their significant squad overhaul.
The initial fee for Ekitike is understood to be £69 million with an additional £10 million in add-ons contingent on team success and the player’s contribution to trophies. Ekitike is expected to travel to Merseyside shortly for a medical examination and is set to sign a six-year deal, with personal terms not anticipated to be a hurdle.
Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, has remained in England with some medical staff to finalize the deal, with hopes that Ekitike can join his new teammates on their pre-season tour in Asia.
The move for Ekitike comes after Liverpool’s inquiry for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak was met with a firm refusal to sell. Despite Ekitike having an £86 million release clause in his Frankfurt contract, Liverpool successfully negotiated a lower initial fee. While Newcastle had also reportedly offered £70 million for the former Paris Saint-Germain player without add-ons, Ekitike had made it clear his preference was a move to Anfield.
Ekitike enjoyed a prolific season, scoring 22 goals, including 15 in the Bundesliga, which undoubtedly caught the attention of the Reds. His arrival casts further doubt on the futures of current Liverpool attackers Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, with the latter having already been the subject of a bid from Bayern Munich.
This latest acquisition will push Liverpool’s summer spending towards the £250 million mark, potentially rising further with add-ons. The club has already secured the services of full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, along with the club-record £100 million signing of Florian Wirtz. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, purchased last summer, has also officially joined the squad after a loan spell at Valencia.
By Eugene Upah
