Liverpool have agreed a deal worth up to €95 million to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, according to reports from England and Germany.
The Reds have been busy in the transfer market as Arne Slot builds a new team after winning the Premier League last season. Four new players have already joined the squad. Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili have all signed. Ekitike is now set to become the fifth signing after Liverpool reached an agreement with Frankfurt.
Liverpool moved for the France under-21 striker after they were told that Alexander Isak was not for sale. Newcastle had already tried to sign Ekitike with a £70 million bid, but it was rejected. Liverpool then made a second offer, which was improved, and that has now been accepted.
According to Sky Sports, Liverpool will pay a fixed fee of £69 million. The deal also includes performance-based bonuses. If all the add-ons are met, the total amount could rise to £82 million. The Athletic says Frankfurt believe this could break their club-record sale of Randal Kolo Muani to PSG.
Ekitike has agreed on personal terms on a six-year contract, according to multiple reports. He is expected to join the team soon. He scored 15 goals in 33 Bundesliga games last season and finished with 22 goals in all competitions. He was left on the bench during Frankfurt’s weekend friendly. His manager said losing him would be “a bitter loss.”
With Luis Diaz pushing to leave and Darwin Nunez attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, Liverpool may still make changes in attack. There are still rumours around Alexander Isak as well, after he was left out of Newcastle’s squad over the weekend by mutual agreement.
