Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Hugo Ekitike as they close in on a major summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Multiple top sources, including Sky Germany, The Athletic, and Ben Jacobs, report that the 23-year-old striker is keen to join the Premier League champions, with terms between the player and club now fully agreed.
According to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool have overtaken Newcastle United in the race, with the Reds offering more than the Magpies. Newcastle had a €75 million bid turned down earlier in the window, and have since dropped out. Liverpool’s proposal is said to be worth over €80 million (£69.2m), giving them the edge as talks continue.
David Ornstein of The Athletic adds that negotiations between Liverpool and Frankfurt are ongoing, but the feeling on all sides is that a deal can be struck soon. Manchester United also showed interest in Ekitike but did not submit a formal offer, while the player has always been drawn to a move to Anfield.
Ben Jacobs, reporting for GIVEMESPORT, revealed that Liverpool have already made a verbal offer of more than £70 million, and Ekitike has accepted a six-year contract with the Reds. Frankfurt are still pushing for a deal closer to £85 million, but discussions are active and a compromise in the region of £75m–£80m could settle it, depending on how the payments are structured.
Jacobs also noted that while Liverpool enquired about Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, his £150 million price tag made Ekitike the more realistic and preferred option.
Ekitike impressed last season with 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for Frankfurt. He joined the Bundesliga side permanently from PSG last summer in a €17.5 million deal following a strong loan spell.
Arne Slot sees the Frenchman as a key part of his plan to refresh Liverpool’s attack, and with Liverpool agreeing personal terms with Hugo Ekitike, finalising the transfer fee is now the last step before the deal is completed.
