Liverpool is reportedly on the verge of securing a significant transfer for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, with an outline of an agreement now in place between the two clubs. The deal, if all add-ons are realized, could represent a club-record sale for the German side, potentially surpassing the €95 million (£82.3 million) they received for Randal Kolo Muani in 2023.
According to The Athletic, an agreement outline was established as of July 19, 2025, with formalization expected within the next day or so. Sky Sports News further reported on July 20, 2025, that Liverpool has submitted an offer of €80 million (£69 million) plus add-ons, with the total package potentially rising to €90 million (£78 million). Negotiations are ongoing regarding the precise structure of these bonuses, though talks are described as positive and progressive.
The 23-year-old French international has made Liverpool his preferred destination, despite previous interest from other Premier League clubs. Newcastle United, for instance, had a €75 million offer for Ekitike turned down in the past and had recently cooled their interest, considering alternatives like Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. Liverpool’s pursuit of a striker this summer also saw them inquire about Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, indicating a willingness to spend in the region of £120 million, but were informed that Isak was not for sale.
Liverpool’s move for Ekitike underscores their priority to bolster their attacking options. The Anfield club has already brought in Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez this summer, but recognizes the need for further additions to their forward line. Speculation also surrounds potential departures, with Liverpool reportedly open to offers for Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz having expressed a desire to leave amid interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Ekitike’s impressive performance during the 2024-25 season at Eintracht Frankfurt has made him a highly sought-after talent. He initially joined Frankfurt on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in January 2024, with the move becoming permanent in the summer of 2024 for €17.5 million. During his half-season loan spell, he contributed four goals and two assists in 14 appearances. His breakout full season (2024-25) saw him net 22 goals and provide 12 assists across 48 appearances in all competitions, earning him a spot in the Bundesliga Team of the Season (The Athletic, Sky Sports News, Wikipedia).
Analysis from German football writers highlights Ekitike as a player rapidly evolving into a complete forward. He is described as a devastating counter-attacker, capable of creating chances with skill and well-weighted passes. His versatility allows him to operate effectively through the middle or on the left of the attack. While still developing and occasionally prone to snatching at chances, his former coach at Reims, Oscar Garcia, even compared his ambition to reach the level of Kylian Mbappe (Sky Sports News). Frankfurt’s coach, as quoted by Sky Germany, acknowledged Ekitike’s potential departure as a “bitter loss.”
Ekitike, who has been capped five times for the France Under-21s but is yet to feature for the senior national team, came through the academy at Reims before his move to PSG in 2022. His impending transfer to Liverpool marks a significant step in his promising career, as he looks to make an impact in the highly competitive Premier League.
