Hugo Ekitike explains Man Utd snub and why he chose Liverpool transfer

Chelsea took a peek, Newcastle United tabled a bid, and Manchester United tried to swoop in, yet for Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool was the only club on his mind once they showed interest.

"For me that was the right choice," Ekitike remarked. "The way the club works, what I have heard about the people here, the atmosphere, the fans, the stadium, the way they improve players, already champions of the Premier League. It's the best team in England and one of the best teams in the world. So yeah, it was Liverpool."

Ekitike joined Liverpool as its seventh signing during a bustling summer when he finalised an initial $93 million transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday.

For Liverpool, this concluded a chase that started with reaching out to the player's representatives in January and intensified after Newcastle's bid last week.

However, it was a conversation with Arne Slot that clinched the deal. "Since I talked to the coach, in my head I was sure about it," Ekitike expressed.

"When you see a coach that can make and improve players, you know you want to be with him and progress because you know he can make you go to the next step. And if you want to go higher I think it's the right choice to do.

"We had a very good first discussion together. Obviously the coach is very human so we could talk not only about football (but) about everything.

"I find him very interesting and I was very pleased to see what I can do with him because I think he is a really nice guy and I can still improve and progress with him. So, yeah, he is a really good coach and good person first, so that's why he made me want to come here."

While Ekitike, who kicked off his career at Reims before making the switch to Paris Saint-Germain, enhanced his reputation during an 18-month stint with Frankfurt as a central striker, Liverpool regards the 23-year-old as a more flexible attacking asset.

With the Reds showing interest in Newcastle United's forward Alexander Isak, Ekitike has no issues regarding his position on the pitch. "I mean, I do what the coach asks me to do!" Ekitike remarks.

"But yeah, I like to do everything. I can't define myself only as a striker (who likes) to finish: I like to play, I like to be in the game, in the collective part of play (and) create also.

"So, I can do both – I can play alone and I like to play also with another striker and I think that's what makes me versatile, but you know now in this football you need to adapt."

Ekitike continues: "I always have been playing outside with my friends at school and I have been watching a lot.

"My favorite player is a player who likes to have the ball at their feet and does some skills, show on the pitch, and I think that's why I always like to play with the ball and do some skills when I face other players. It's just my way to play."

The signing of the French star has seen Liverpool's expenditure this summer soar to nearly $400M, as Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes aim to build upon a squad that effortlessly clinched the Premier League title last term.

In an interview with liverpoolfc.com, Ekitike expressed his excitement: "You see the players on the team, obviously we have so much quality in this team. It's just a pleasure to play with such good players. I want to do more to be at the same level and even better.

"Obviously Liverpool are already on the top, but we have still things to reach. That's why we want to be the best and need to improve every season to go and reach the success. It's going to be a difficult season and a long season, but we have the quality to reach everything I think.

"This summer transfer window was great for the club, they bring so much quality. I think the team will be better, I'm sure about that. That's why the fans are pretty happy."

Ekitike joined his new teammates in Hong Kong on Thursday and is set to get some game time in Saturday's friendly against AC Milan, as well as the upcoming match against Yokohama F Marinos in Japan next Wednesday.

The Reds' pre-season preparations will wrap up with a double-header against Athletic Bilbao, and the fresh recruit is eager to experience his first match at his new home ground.

"Yeah, Anfield is mad!" exclaims Ekitike. "I can't wait to play there. Obviously I don't even start to think about what it is to score a goal there. I think I will start to think when we come and we are going to play there, but it's huge.

"I have seen it on TV and it's crazy: crazy stadium and crazy fans, so I think it's going to be amazing."

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.