Liverpool have opened talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential deal for French striker Hugo Ekitike, who is also a target for Premier League rivals Chelsea
15:02, 28 May 2025Updated 15:03, 28 May 2025
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - APRIL 26: Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig at Deutsche Bank Park on April 26, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Hugo Ekitike has plenty of suitors(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Liverpool are reportedly vying to secure the services of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, who is valued at a substantial £84million, as their summer transfer window gathers pace.
Preliminary discussions have taken place, with manager Arne Slot said to be an admirer of the 22-year-old French forward. The Premier League champions have been swift in conducting their summer transfer business and appear prepared to make significant investments.
A deal for Jeremie Frimpong is reportedly near completion, while negotiations for a potential £100m-plus transfer of Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen's golden boy of German football, are ongoing for the 20-time league champions.
Ekitike has now emerged as a prime target, with Sky Germany indicating Chelsea are also interested in the young striker, who has flourished since departing Paris Saint-Germain. He has just concluded his most prolific season to date, surpassing the 20-goal mark for the first time.
Although Frankfurt have yet to receive a formal offer, the club's sporting director, Markus Krosche, has hinted they may be open to Ekitike's departure from Deutsche Bank Park, suggesting the side will permit players to leave if they feel they have outgrown the team's environment, reports the Mirror.
Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike has enjoyed an impressive season at Eintracht Frankfurt(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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"He's one of the most interesting strikers on the European market. Hugo has to decide that," Krosche told Sport 1. "I'm glad we have him. If he decides otherwise, that's our motto: If a player develops faster than us, we let him go."
Frankfurt have demonstrated their ability to identify talented strikers, with their recruitment efforts contributing to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification. In January, the club allowed Omar Marmoush to join Manchester City for £59m.
Liverpool are on the hunt for fresh attacking talent to lighten the load on talisman Mohamed Salah. Following a rather subdued transfer window last year, Slot, who steered the Reds to Premier League glory, is set to kick their recruitment drive into high gear.
The club's quest to strengthen their attack comes amid speculation over the future of several players. Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez has yet to make his mark at Liverpool and is reportedly drawing interest from Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Colombian winger Luis Diaz is in the midst of negotiations regarding his stay at Anfield.
Slot opened up about Liverpool's transfer ambitions in a chat with Sky Sports. He said: "I don't know if it's going to be a lot but we know, the club, Richard [Hughes], the ownership, we are all aligned on what we are trying to achieve.
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"It is already very, very positive that we kept Mo and Virgil [van Dijk] and a few others that we are trying to sign look positive."