Hugo Ekitike Set for Liverpool Debut as Transfer Agreement Gets Green Light
Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt have finalized the remaining aspects of Hugo Ekitiké's potential transfer to Anfield, allowing the French striker to proceed with his medical examination.
After being turned down by Newcastle United in their pursuit of Alexander Isak, Liverpool swiftly shifted their attention to Ekitiké, who was also a target for the Magpies, and reached a preliminary agreement with the Bundesliga club during the weekend.
The two teams have been working through the concluding terms of the prospective deal, and The Athletic confirms that both sides have now agreed upon a final transfer fee for the 23-year-old forward.
Liverpool, the current Premier League title holders, have committed to paying an upfront sum of £69 million (€79.6 million, $92.6 million), alongside additional payments totaling £10 million (€11.5 million, $13.4 million). This arrangement falls slightly below Frankfurt's original asking price.
Ekitiké is scheduled to complete his medical assessment with Liverpool and, assuming everything proceeds smoothly, will then link up with Arne Slot's team during their pre-season tour across Hong Kong and Japan, where he could potentially make his debut unofficial appearance for the club.
The Reds are set to face AC Milan on July 26, which might be too early for Ekitiké's involvement. Yokohama F. Marinos await four days afterward, before the striker could potentially make his inaugural Anfield showing in either of two exhibition matches against Athletic Club on August 4.
Liverpool's summer spending so far
Player | Fee |
|---|---|
Jeremie Frimpong | £29.5 million ($39.6 million) |
Milos Kerkez | £40 million ($53.7 million) |
Giorgi Mamardashvili | £29 million ($38.9 million) |
Florian Wirtz | £116.5 million ($156.3 million) |
Freddie Woodman | Free transfer |
Ármin Pécsi | £1.5 million ($2 million) |
The French attacker is poised to become the seventh new signing at Anfield this summer, joining Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Freddie Woodman, Ármin Pécsi and Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has finally completed his move to Merseyside after his transfer from Valencia was initially announced in August 2024.
Ekitiké's acquisition will push Liverpool's summer expenditure to just under the £300 million (€346.1 million, $402.5 million) threshold.
Predictably, attention will now shift toward generating additional player sales. Jarell Quansah moved to Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer and goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher has since joined Brentford, though there remains opportunity for several more substantial departures.
Luis Díaz continues to attract considerable transfer interest, while Darwin Núñez, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa and Kostas Tsimikas all find themselves in uncertain situations regarding their futures.