Liverpool hold a "genuine interest" in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike but won't be forced into overpaying for the Frenchman, Ben Jacobs has exclusively told GIVEMESPORT.
Ekitike enjoyed a stellar season at Frankfurt after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain last summer in a £14m (€16.5m deal). The young French forward formed an impressive partnership with Omar Marmoush before the Egyptian headed to Manchester City in January.
The 22-year-old has caught the eye of several clubs across Europe, including Liverpool, who are expected to target a new centre-forward this summer. Darwin Nunez is reportedly on Al-Hilal's radar, and he failed to convince Arne Slot last season.
Ekitike On Liverpool's Striker Shortlist
The Reds won't be forced into a tug-of-war with Chelsea
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Liverpool's transfer chiefs are living up to Virgil van Dijk's foreshadowing of a "big summer" being on the horizon.
Jeremie Frimpong has become the first summer signing, arriving as Trent Alexander-Arnold's replacement in a £30m deal. His former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz may be next amid the club offering £110m for the German attacking midfielder.
A new striker is also a possibility and Jacobs has confirmed that Ekitike is a geunine option for the Reds. He told GIVEMESPORT that he's one of several frontmen they are looking at:
"Liverpool also hold a genuine interest in Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. He is on the list of options alongside Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro, and in theory Alexander Isak should Newcastle suddenly decide to sell."
Liverpool will break their transfer record set in 2018 when signing Van Dijk for £75m should they seal Wirtz's arrival. But they are cautious about overspending and getting into a battle with Chelsea for Ekitike:
"Frankfurt want €100m, and sources feel they are trying to pit Chelsea and Liverpool against each other. Neither are really falling for
this game. I don’t expect both clubs to go head-to-head or overpay since they each have other strong targets."
Hugo Ekitike Stats (Bundesliga 2024-25)
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Ekitike, described as "one of the most exciting forwards in Europe", boasts pace, clinical finishing and versatility. But Frankfurt's £84m (€100m) price-tag could turn the Reds away and they have, as mentioned, strong interest in the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro.
The Merseyside outfit could miss out on Sesko amid Arsenal pursuing the Slovenian. Reports claim that the Gunners have started negotiations for the 21-year-old. Pedro could be the more attainable target, while Isak seems highly unlikely due to Newcastle's eagerness to build around the Swede.
All statistics courtesy ofSofaScore- correct as of 31.05.2025
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