Liverpool are advancing in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over the switch of Hugo Ekitike.
The membership’s proposed package deal to signal the 23-year-old striker is in extra of €80million (£69.2m; $92.7m) and private phrases usually are not anticipated to be a problem.
The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Liverpool had made contact with Frankfurt over a doable transfer for the Frenchman, who has additionally been focused by Newcastle United, however a transfer to Anfield had all the time been Ekitike’s desire.
Manchester United additionally admire the striker, though they’ve made no formal strategy over a switch.
Frankfurt rejected a suggestion from Newcastle of round €75million (£64.9m; $86.9m) for Ekitike, in whom the Premier League aspect cooled their curiosity as they pursued a deal for Brentford ahead Yoane Wissa.
Ekitike scored 22 targets and supplied 12 assists throughout all competitions for Frankfurt final season after signing for the Bundesliga membership completely in a deal value €17.5m in the summertime of 2024, following a mortgage spell from PSG within the earlier marketing campaign.
Liverpool’s transfer for Ekitike coincides with the Anfield membership’s pursuit of Newcastle ahead Alexander Isak. Liverpool communicated their curiosity about doing a deal within the area of £120m for the 25-year-old Sweden worldwide.
Arne Slot’s squad is more likely to have exits within the coming weeks with Liverpool open to presents for Darwin Nunez, whereas winger Luiz Diaz has knowledgeable the membership of his want to depart.
Liverpool have been busy in the summertime switch window, signing playmaker Florian Wirtz in a membership report deal alongside his former Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong and full-back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth.
Further reporting from Sebastian Stafford-Bloor and James Pearce
‘Ekitike precisely the profile that Liverpool look to focus on’
Evaluation by Liverpool correspondent Andy Jones
Isak has been Liverpool supporters’ very best No 9 goal all summer season, however Newcastle’s ‘not on the market’ stance has made them look elsewhere too — and Ekitike appears like their most popular different.
The necessity to strengthen the No 9 place was highlighted heading into the summer season with Nunez set to depart.
Slot tried quite a few choices in that position final season, with Luis Diaz turning into his most popular choice. It was a tough place to play in although with loads demanded and targets didn’t movement for any of those that operated there.
Liverpool will hope to vary that and Ekitike confirmed his goalscoring credentials throughout a wonderful season at Frankfurt the place he scored 22 targets in all competitions and supplied 12 assists throughout 48 appearances.
Aged 23, he’s precisely the profile Liverpool look to focus on — a participant with first-team expertise, however with potential to develop additional. Not like Isak, he’s not the completed product, however he possesses a variety of traits that may be moulded into making him an elite striker.
Ekitike is a tall, fast and technically gifted striker who would provide Liverpool a focus for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz to thrive off. He’s a menace within the field, possesses intelligent motion and on the counter-attack, his athleticism and ball carrying attributes stand out.
(Photograph: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
