Liverpool are in advanced negotiations to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike in a deal expected to exceed £70 million, as the Premier League champions step up their efforts to reinforce their attacking line.
According to multiple sources, Liverpool are pushing to finalize the transfer before the weekend. Their bid is set to surpass the £70 million offer recently submitted, and rejected, by Newcastle United, as Frankfurt hold firm on their valuation of the 23-year-old French striker.
Ekitike is reportedly open to the move, enticed by the prospect of joining Liverpool’s title-winning setup. The Reds are prioritizing the acquisition of a natural central striker, and Ekitike fits the profile perfectly, combining goal-scoring instinct with creative flair.
In the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, Ekitike netted 15 goals in 31 starts while also providing eight assists, ranking him in the top 6% of chance-creators among forwards in the league. His attacking stats are impressive across the board: he registered 117 shots, more than any other player in the Bundesliga, and posted an expected goals (xG) total of 21.6, the second-highest in the division.
Though Liverpool have also been closely monitoring Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, the Magpies have declared the Swedish striker untouchable, firmly ruling out any sale regardless of the offer. As a result, Liverpool have pivoted their focus toward securing Ekitike as their marquee attacking signing.
The move for Ekitike follows an ambitious summer for Liverpool in the transfer market. The club has already landed German midfield sensation Florian Wirtz in a potential British record £116 million deal. In addition, full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have been signed for £40 million and £30 million, respectively, as the Reds bolster multiple areas of the squad under their new title-winning project.
Meanwhile, Newcastle, having seen their pursuit of Ekitike stall, are expected to accelerate talks for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa within the next 24 hours as they search for an alternative forward option.
As Liverpool near completion of what would be their fourth major signing of the summer, the addition of Hugo Ekitike could prove crucial in maintaining their domestic dominance and challenging on all fronts next season.
