Liverpool Close to Sealing Hugo Ekitike Deal with Summer Spending Set to Cross £250-Million

Liverpool are edging closer to solving their year-long search for a new striker, and all signs point to Hugo Ekitike being the man to fill that role. Talks are in an advanced stage with Eintracht Frankfurt, and the 23-year-old Frenchman is now expected to become the latest big-money signing in a hectic summer at Anfield.

The Reds are in the process of formalizing an official bid for Ekitike, who has an £86.5 million release clause in his Frankfurt contract. But Liverpool are optimistic about landing him for less. While it's not yet clear if the Bundesliga side will dig their heels in, there’s growing belief that the player’s desire to move will tilt things in Liverpool’s favor. Ekitike has made his intentions clear—he wants to join Liverpool and is ready to sign a six-year deal at Anfield. 

This development comes after Newcastle United pulled out of the race, having had multiple bids turned down. Manchester United also showed interest in the France U21 international, but Liverpool’s entry into the mix changed the game. With the Premier League champions now serious about bringing him in, negotiations have gained momentum. 

The aim is to get the deal wrapped up before the team flies out for their pre-season tour of Asia next week. According to BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel and The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe, the move is well underway. Bascombe notes that Liverpool “hope to secure him for less” than the release clause, while Mokbel says the upcoming offer is “expected to surpass” Newcastle’s most recent £70 million bid. Another crucial factor is Ekitike’s willingness to make the switch. Bascombe highlighted that the forward has already told Frankfurt he wants the Liverpool move, and that kind of clarity can often help speed up the process. 

Ekitike is seen as the long-term solution to a problem Liverpool have been trying to fix for over a year—upgrading their striker options. Darwin Núñez was once the answer, but inconsistency in front of goal has cast doubt on his future. The Uruguayan could be on his way out, with interest coming in from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Italy. Liverpool reportedly want to bank around £70 million from any potential sale. 

Initially, Liverpool had their eyes on Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, but his £120 million-plus price tag—and the likelihood of a drawn-out negotiation—meant they had to shift focus. Ekitike fits the profile, and now it looks like he’ll be the third major arrival from the Bundesliga this window. He’ll follow in the footsteps of Florian Wirtz, who joined for a British record £116 million from Bayer Leverkusen, and Jeremie Frimpong, also from Leverkusen. 

In addition, Liverpool signed left-back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth for £40 million, bringing the club’s total summer spending close to the £180 million mark. With Ekitike next in line, that figure could rise well over £250 million mark. However, with some departures likely on the horizon, this window is shaping up to be one of the most aggressive in Liverpool’s recent history.