Liverpool could look to land another one of the Bundesliga's rising young stars this summer, having already signed two stars in Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen - and it could transform their squad from league winners into European dominators.
A report on Tuesday by esteemed journalist Fabrizio Romano stated that Liverpool have now switched their focus to 'three' transfer targets, alongside the potential capture of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace - with 'elite' star Hugo Ekitike in their sights ahead of a potential swoop this summer.
Report: Liverpool 'Focusing' on Hugo Ekitike Signing From Frankfurt
The French youth star has been in superb form
Hugo Ekitike in action for Eintracht Frankfurt
The Reds are now focusing on three 'concrete options', given that Darwin Nunez's future appears to lie away from Merseyside with Napoli keen on his services in the coming weeks of the transfer window, whilst Diogo Jota hasn't been entirely favoured by Arne Slot over the past 12 months.
Ekitike, who is noted as an especially favoured target, enjoyed a superb Bundesliga campaign for Eintracht Frankfurt last season with 15 goals to his name in the German top-flight, helping them qualify for the Champions League - and that has tempted the interest of various clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United and Slot's side.
Hugo Ekitike's Bundesliga statistics - Eintracht Frankfurt squad ranking
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Key Passes Per Game
Shots Per Game
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The Reds have 'gathered information' about the young Frenchman, who scored a hat-trick against England's under-21 side back in March, although a move could take time, with the youngster knowing that Nunez or another player will have to be sold first before they buy any other players.
Liverpool Fans Should Imagine 'Elite' Ekitike Alongside Florian Wirtz
The Frenchman could be the final piece of their jigsaw
hugo ekitike
That being said, if he does move to Anfield, it could set Liverpool up for the future. New signings Wirtz, Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are only 22, 24 and 21 years of age respectively - whilst Ekitike is 23 and, would fit ideally into that cohort.
The young Frenchman has had a strange career path so far. Breaking through the Reims youth academy, including making his debut for the club aged 18, he ventured on a bizarre loan spell to Danish outfit Vejle Boldklub - and then, coming back to the Ligue 1 club, he flourished with 10 league goals in 24 games in the French top-flight.
That prompted a move to Paris Saint-Germain, though he only scored four goals and recorded four assists in his loan season at the club, before they exercised his permanent option - only making one appearance in his first-half season as a contracted Parc des Princes player.
As such, it was at Frankfurt where he found a home, notching four goals in 14 games on a loan spell before they bought him for just half of what PSG did at around £14million, where he's proven to be an exceptional signing under Dino Toppmoller - and linking up with Wirtz, that reputation could continue for good.
The duo are still far off coming into their primes, and could learn from esteemed names such as Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah in their respective positions. With more favourable football to play whilst they are on the front foot and punishing teams at the top of the league, it could be the ideal move for both parties.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 02-07-25.
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