Liverpool have completed the signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, with the French striker now officially a Red.
The big question now is whether Ekitike is worth the price tag. After a breakout season in Germany, Liverpool are betting on his potential to lead the line under Arne Slot. But with only one full top-level season behind him, fans and pundits are split on whether it’s a smart investment or a major risk.
Transfer Details
Liverpool have agreed a deal worth £69 million up front, rising to £79 million with performance-based add-ons. The structure allowed them to avoid triggering his €100 million release clause.
Ekitike has signed a six-year contract and will now travel with the team for their pre-season tour in Asia, where Liverpool will face AC Milan and Yokohama F. Marinos.
This could become Eintracht Frankfurt’s biggest-ever sale, beating the £76.4 million Paris Saint-Germain paid for Randal Kolo Muani in 2023.
Liverpool turned to Ekitike after being told Alexander Isak was not for sale. The Frenchman was also on the radar of Newcastle, Manchester United, and Arsenal, but chose Anfield after holding talks with Arne Slot.
Performance & Stats
From Reims to Frankfurt, Hugo Ekitike has shown growth in both end product and consistency. Across his senior career so far, he has played 123 matches, scoring 41 goals and providing 22 assists in all competitions. Most of that production came during his time at Frankfurt, where he found top form in 2024/25.
Season-by-Season Breakdown
| Season | Club | Games | Goals / Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 48 | 22 / 12 |
| 2023/24 | PSG / Eintracht Frankfurt | 17 | 4 / 2 |
| 2022/23 | Paris Saint-Germain | 32 | 4 / 4 |
| 2021/22 | Stade Reims | 26 | 11 / 4 |
Hugo Ekitike enjoyed his best season yet in 2024/25, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt.
He played a total of 3,581 minutes and averaged a goal or assist every 113 minutes, demonstrating his consistency and effectiveness throughout the season.
In the Bundesliga, Ekitike finished with 15 goals in 33 games, ranking among the top forwards in the league. His xG was 21.67, meaning he slightly underperformed his chances, but still showed good positioning and movement inside the box. He also contributed six assists in league action.
In the Europa League, he scored 4 goals and made 4 assists in 10 games, helping Frankfurt reach the quarter-finals. His goals came in key matches, including one against Sporting and another away to Real Sociedad, underlining his ability to deliver on the European stage.
Ekitike also made five appearances in the DFB-Pokal, scoring three times, including a brace in the quarter-final win over RB Leipzig.
His 2024/25 campaign demonstrated growth in both output and maturity, featuring increased involvement in link-up play and pressing from the front.
Is Hugo Ekitike Really Worth £79 million?
It’s a fair question. Spending £79 million on a 23-year-old with just one big season in Germany is a risk. So, is Hugo Ekitike worth that kind of money?
First, you’re not just paying for what he is now, you’re paying for what he could become. At Frankfurt last season, Ekitike scored 22 goals and made 12 assists across the Bundesliga, Europa League, and German Cup. He stepped up in big games and led the line with maturity.
According to FootyStats, he played 2,581 minutes and averaged 0.52 goals per 90. That ranked him 21st out of 391 Bundesliga players who played at least three matches. He was Frankfurt’s top scorer in the league, showing consistency across the season.
Second, his style fits what Liverpool needs. He presses defenders, links play well, and makes smart runs into space, all key traits in Arne Slot’s system. Ekitike isn’t just a finisher; he’s involved in the build-up and movement. With Diogo Jota gone and Luis Diaz possibly leaving, Ekitike brings energy, sharp finishing, and tactical flexibility. He can lead the line or drift wide, similar to Gakpo or Darwin Nunez.
Third, compared to today’s market, £79 million is not excessive. Top strikers like Osimhen and Isak are valued close to £150 million. Liverpool have acted quickly to sign someone with similar potential for nearly half that.
Yes, not all strikers succeed after leaving Germany. Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Sébastien Haller, and Lukas Podolski never fully lived up to expectations. But others like Heung-Min Son, Roberto Firmino, and Erling Haaland have thrived. Ekitike has the pace, size, and growing confidence to follow the successful path. His game looks well-suited to the Premier League.
Verdict
Ekitike isn’t the finished product, but Liverpool are investing in his future. At 23, with strong numbers and a style that fits Slot’s plans, there’s a clear logic behind the deal. In a market where top forwards are priced at £150 million, this could prove to be smart business.
It’s a calculated gamble, but one that could pay off big.
