Liverpool have already had a fairly busy summer despite the transfer window not even being open yet.
Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have all been heavily linked with an Anfield switch, and with players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold already leaving, it’s clear that it’s going to be a summer of change in L4.
Arne Slot has seemingly been given a decent-sized war chest to dip into with the 2025-26 summer window shaping up to be as busy as 2018-19, which saw the likes of Alisson and Fabinho link up with Jurgen Klopp.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
And with the form of some of Slot’s first-team not being up to the standards required, it’s not all that much of a surprise to see a few first-team regulars, such as Luis Diaz, being linked with moves away.
Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota would have to be sold for Hugo Ekitike to join Liverpool
Hugo Ekitike is a name that has been thrown around all of Europe’s biggest teams over the last few seasons.
Before his move to Paris Saint-Germain, he was heavily linked with a switch to Newcastle, but in the end, that move didn’t work out.
And, now that he’s just put in the best numbers of his career for Eintracht Frankfurt, it’s not a surprise to see Liverpool linked with a move.
However, as per a fresh report from Florian Plettenberg via his personal X account, for a move to be pulled off, the Reds would have to sell either Diogo Jota or Darwin Nunez.
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The Reds aren’t the only team interested in the Frenchman either, with Plettenberg claiming that Chelsea are the ones currently leading the way with Enzo Maresca’s men ‘aware’ of Slot’s interest.
The report also adds that Arsenal are ‘monitoring’ the situation as it develops over the course of the summer.
🚨🆕 More on Hugo #Ekitike with Chelsea are currently in concrete talks over him. Understand #CFC would like to complete the deal as quickly as possible, as they’re aware of Liverpool’s interest.
Chelsea are currently putting in the most effort. #LFC are also in the race.… pic.twitter.com/JZnauqRo3F
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 28, 2025
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Hugo Ekitike would be a massive risk for Liverpool
Although Liverpool’s need for a regular-scoring number nine is likely one of their main priorities, Ekitike would be a fairly big risk on Slot’s behalf, especially since Ekitike would cost around £85million to bring to Anfield.
There’s no denying that the Frenchman has had an impressive campaign this season, but on the face of things, this is the only time he’s bagged more than 10 league goals throughout the entirety of his career.
Season League Goals
2024-25 Bundesliga 15
2023-24 (second-half) Bundesliga 4
2023-24 (first half) Ligue 1 0
2022-23 Ligue 1 3
2021-22 Ligue 1 10
2020-21 Ligue 1 0
The past five seasons of Hugo Ekitike’s career.
Indeed, he’s still only 22 years old and Liverpool would no doubt be investing in the talisman for the future, but when results are needed now, it’s unclear whether he’d have what it takes to make the step-up.
Players such as Alexander Isak have also been linked with Liverpool, and while a deal for the Sweden international would cost a small fortune, he’d be a much safer bet than Ekitike.
The 2025-26 summer transfer window is setting up to be one that is full of change for most Premier League teams.
And, with almost every club looking for the perfect number nine, options are few and far between, which is likely why Ekitike’s price is so inflated.
Only time will tell what the future holds, of course, but on the face of things, it doesn’t feel like Ekitike is worth the risk.