Liverpool Secure Signing Of Frankfurt Forward Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth an initial £69 million ($92 million), according to multiple reports on Monday.

The Reds turned their attention to the 23-year-old Frenchman after failing in their pursuit of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, who is valued at around £150 million by the Magpies.

Ekitike, regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young forwards, was also on the radar of Newcastle and Manchester United. However, Liverpool are now poised to secure his signature, with an additional £10 million in performance-related add-ons potentially raising the total fee to £79 million.

Once the transfer is finalized, Ekitike is expected to join Arne Slot’s squad during their pre-season tour of Asia.

Ekitike enjoyed a prolific season in the Bundesliga, scoring 22 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions for Frankfurt after joining from Paris Saint-Germain. He was left out of Frankfurt’s recent pre-season friendly against FSV Frankfurt, with manager Dino Toppmöller describing his imminent departure as “a bitter loss.”

Liverpool’s move for a new striker comes in the wake of the tragic death of Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car accident in Spain earlier this summer. The club is also reportedly open to offers for Uruguay international Darwin Núñez, while Colombia winger Luis Díaz has attracted interest from Bayern Munich, who had a bid rejected.

The signing of Ekitike would add to Liverpool’s summer spending, which has already surpassed £100 million. The club recently brought in German playmaker Florian Wirtz for £116 million, along with defenders Jeremie Frimpong (from Bayer Leverkusen) and Milos Kerkez (from Bournemouth). Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also joined from Valencia.