Liverpool 'open talks' with Hugo Ekitike over potential £84m move

Liverpool have reportedly opened talks with Hugo Ekikike over a potential transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ekikite, who'll turn 23 in June, has plenty of admirers from the continent, and after an impressive season in Germany, is expected to leave the club.

Unable to break through with Paris Saint-Germain, Ekitike moved to Frankfurt in January 2024, and while his 15 Bundesliga goals don't leap off the page, the forward's potential is sky high.

Reminiscent of Newcastle's Alexander Isak in terms of build and playing style, Ekitike has remarkable footwork and control for a player of his size.

Capable of playing with his back to goal, Ekitike is happy dropping deeper to get involved in the link-up play, contributing to eight assists in the league, but is perhaps at his strongest when allowed to run in behind, making him an ideal centre forward for the incoming Florian Wirtz.

Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reported on X on Wednesday morning: "The next big target from the Bundesliga: Understand FC Liverpool are now seriously in the race for Hugo #Ekitike!

"Talks have taken place. Slot/Edwards keen on him. The biggest rival at the moment: Chelsea.

"Eintracht Frankfurt have not yet received an offer. Markus Krösche still demand €100 million."

Chelsea remain favourites to sign the forward, and with UEFA Champions League football secured, the club can make an attractive proposal to the France international, but Liverpool will be hard to turn down if they match Chelsea's offer.

Liverpool have largely been careful with how they spend their money in the transfer market, typically favouring cheaper players over expensive marquee signings, but the move for Wirtz may signal a change in direction.

Arsenal and Manchester City will both invest strongly over the summer, and the Reds seem keen not to surrender their title without a fight.

Although Arne Slot's side won the Premier League at a canter, there are areas that need strengthening significantly. Trent Alexander-Arnold is Madrid-bound while Andrew Robertson now needs upgrading.

While Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai have been mainstays in the front four throughout the season, Slot has rotated his centre forward and left-winger, unable to settle on any of Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota or Darwin Nunez.

While Wirtz could occupy the left-wing, or allow Szoboszlai to drop into midfield, Ekitike would become the side's lone front man.

One potential stumbling block for Liverpool could be in the fee Frankfurt are demanding. In upgrading and replacing their full-backs via Jeremie Frimpong and likely Milos Kerkez, the Reds will likely have spent around £200m once the Wirtz move is made official, with Ekitike pushing their spending close to the £300m mark.

While some of that could be offset by the departures of one or two of Gakpo, Diaz, Jota or Nunez, it will still represent a significant outlay for the Premier League champions.

Liam Williams

• Liverpool F.C.
• Premier League
• Transfer News
• • 
  •