French forward Hugo Ekitike, 23, is set to arrive in the UK on Tuesday ahead of a medical with Liverpool. Eintracht Frankfurt have accepted an offer worth £79 million - £69 million guaranteed, plus £10 million in add-ons.
Ekitike is expected to sign a six-year deal and will join Liverpool's pre-season tour in Asia later this week.
Earlier this month, Newcastle had a £70 million bid for the striker rejected. Meanwhile, Liverpool have also shown interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
Ekitike enjoyed an impressive season in the Bundesliga, scoring 15 goals in 31 starts as Frankfurt secured a third-place finish. He also registered eight assists and attempted 117 shots more than any other player in the league. Only five players had a better goal tally.
His signing will push Liverpool’s summer spending beyond £250 million. The club has already brought in Florian Wirtz for a potential British-record £116 million, along with defenders Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong for a combined £70 million.
Combined goals & assists last season
By players aged 23 or under in top five European Leagues
| Player | Goals | Assists | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Olise | 12 | 15 | 27 |
| Mason Greenwood | 21 | 5 | 26 |
| Bradley Barcola | 14 | 10 | 24 |
| Hugo Ekitike | 15 | 8 | 23 |
| Cole Palmer | 15 | 8 | 23 |
| Florian Wirtz | 10 | 12 | 22 |
| Lamine Yamal | 9 | 13 | 22 |
Ekitike: Frankfurt’s Latest Recruitment Success
Hugo Ekitike has become the latest success story in Eintracht Frankfurt’s recent run of savvy signings.
Though he wasn’t an unknown quantity when he arrived on loan in early 2024, Ekitike had lost momentum in his career. The French forward had once drawn interest from clubs like Newcastle while rising through the ranks at Reims. Ultimately, he chose to join Paris Saint-Germain but breaking into a star-studded attack proved a tall order, and his development stalled.
Frankfurt saw potential where others hesitated and secured Ekitike on a permanent deal last summer. Under manager Dino Toppmöller, he has been used both as a lone striker and as part of a front two.
In the first half of last season, Ekitike formed a formidable partnership with Omar Marmoush. Their fluid movement and understanding made them a constant threat, until Manchester City swooped in with a £63 million bid for Marmoush in January.
Rather than signing a direct replacement, Frankfurt adapted their system. In the second half of the campaign, Ekitike led the line with two attacking midfielders supporting him. The tactical shift suited him well.
While not the most explosive player, Ekitike is highly intelligent on the pitch. He’s more than just a penalty-box presence capable of drifting into deeper areas, linking play, and swapping roles seamlessly, as he often did with Marmoush.
His biggest asset may be his tactical awareness, which shines both in possession and during pressing phases. Whether leading the line or supporting the press, Ekitike has proven he’s much more than just a reclamation project he’s now a key figure in Frankfurt’s setup.
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