Liverpool are preparing to engage in initial discussions over a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike even though they will need to sanction the departure of fellow frontman Darwin Nunez in order to facilitate a move to Anfield ahead of the new season getting underway, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Although the Reds' hierarchy have allowed boss Arne Slot to splash the cash on reinforcements, with Florian Wirtz joining for a fee which could result in him becoming the most expensive acquisition in British history following his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, there is a desire to make further acquisitions.
Squad members and the fanbase have been left in a state of shock following Diogo Jota's tragic death in a car crash last week, at the age of 28, leading to Liverpool being determined to retain the Premier League title and clinch even more silverware in the upcoming campaign in his memory.
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Hugo Ekitike in action for Eintracht Frankfurt
Intermediaries have provided Eintracht Frankfurt with encouragement that Liverpool are ready to open talks over a deal for Ekitike, according to GMS sources, leading to the Bundesliga giants being confident that they will secure the entirety of their £86million demands before the transfer window slams shut.
The Reds are not the only Premier League side to have been showing interest in the striker as Newcastle United and Chelsea have also been circling, while Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah have been looking to lure him to Saudi Arabia, resulting in his current employers not entertaining the possibility of lowering his price tag at this stage.
GMS sources have been informed that Eintracht Frankfurt are adamant that their resolve will pay off and there is hope that Liverpool will up the ante by formally showing their hand in the coming days after Ekitike's performances in the 2024/25 campaign led to him working his way firmly onto Slot's radar.
Hugo Ekitike's statistics for Eintracht Frankfurt this season
The 23-year-old marksman has been described as 'elite' thanks to his productivity in the final third of the pitch and, with there being ongoing uncertainty over who will be leading the Reds' attack for their defence of the Premier League title, a switch to Anfield has become a serious possibility.
Liverpool have a golden opportunity to negotiate terms for Ekitike, GMS sources have learned, as domestic counterparts Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have not been prepared to get involved in a potential bidding war despite that being Eintracht Frankfurt's initial desire as they aimed to sell him for the highest possible fee.
Slot Not Poised to Seal Cut-Price Ekitike Deal
Current employers not prepared to lower demands for 23-year-old
Hugo Ekitike in action for Eintracht Frankfurt
GMS sources have been told that Liverpool will not be able to land Ekitike for a cut-price sum as Eintracht Frankfurt have reaffirmed that they will only consider reducing their valuation if it suits them in the final weeks of the transfer window and they are aiming to have his future sorted by that stage.
The German side are under no pressure to sanction the five-cap France under-21 international's departure as he still has four years remaining on a contract which allows him to pocket more than £80,000-per-week when bonuses are triggered, complicating matters for Slot and members of the Reds' recruitment department.
Liverpool have retained a genuine interest in acquiring Ekitike, GMS sources understand, but they must offload Nunez in order to facilitate the move as at least one big-name exit will go ahead before forking out another substantial fee after already signing Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman.
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GMS sources recently revealed that Eintracht Frankfurt are confident that the Merseyside heavyweights or another suitor will pay what it takes to reach an agreement, resulting in them being insistent that they will stick to their guns instead of entertaining the possibility of lowering their financial expectations.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 10/07/2025
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