Liverpool nears £70m-plus Hugo Ekitike deal! Race is about to end...

Liverpool is on the brink of securing a significant summer signing, with advanced talks reportedly underway to bring Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike to Anfield in a deal worth over £70 million. Multiple sources indicate that the Premier League champions are aiming to wrap up the transfer by this weekend, further bolstering their squad after a busy transfer window.

This move comes after Newcastle United's £70 million offer for Ekitike was rejected by Frankfurt, suggesting Liverpool's bid is poised to surpass that figure. The 23-year-old French international has reportedly shown keen interest in joining Liverpool, who have made signing a central striker a top priority.

Ekitike enjoyed a highly productive season with Frankfurt, netting 15 goals in 31 starts as the club finished an impressive third in the Bundesliga. Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Ekitike also proved to be a significant creative force, with eight assists placing him within the top 6% among forwards for chance creation in Germany last season. His attacking impact is further highlighted by his 117 shots on goal in the Bundesliga, more than any other player, and an expected goals figure of 21.6, which was the league's second highest.

Liverpool had also expressed strong interest in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. However, the Magpies have remained adamant that the Swedish international is not for sale at any price, leading Liverpool to intensify their pursuit of Ekitike.

This potential acquisition follows Liverpool's already record-breaking summer. They've signed attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal potentially worth up to £116 million, and invested £40 million and £30 million respectively in full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United is expected to accelerate their interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa within the next 24 hours, following the slowdown in their own attempts to secure Ekitike.

Ekitike: A versatile attacker

According to Bundesliga expert Constantin Eckner, Hugo Ekitike represents the "latest success story of Eintracht Frankfurt's recruitment." Ekitike was a known talent but had experienced a slight dip in form after opting to join Paris Saint-Germain, where he struggled to break into their star-studded attacking lineup, despite attracting interest from clubs like Newcastle United during his time at Reims.

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Frankfurt, however, recognized his potential, initially bringing him in on loan in early 2024 before making the move permanent a year ago. Under Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmöller, Ekitike proved his versatility, serving effectively both as a lone striker and in a partnership.

Tactical adaptability

During the first half of last season, Ekitike formed a formidable attacking duo with Omar Marmoush. This partnership was disrupted when Manchester City signed Marmoush for £63 million in January. Frankfurt adapted by changing their tactical setup, with Ekitike playing as the central striker supported by two attacking midfielders in the second half of their 2024-25 campaign.

Beyond the box

Eckner emphasizes Ekitike's versatile playing style, noting he's "not a striker who only feels at home inside the box." He's capable of constantly swapping positions with teammates, as seen when he played alongside Marmoush. While perhaps not the most explosive player, Ekitike possesses the intelligence to bypass defenders with clever movements. His strong tactical understanding is a key asset, both in possession and when executing high or midfield presses, making him a valuable all-around offensive asset for Liverpool.