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Liverpool has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Eintracht Frankfurt to sign French striker Hugo Ekitike who has already been compared to two world-class forwards.
The 23-year-old is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days before putting pen to paper on a six-year contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2031. Ekitike becomes the latest high-profile departure from Eintracht Frankfurt, following the exits of Randal Kolo Muani to Paris Saint-Germain for $110 million and Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in a $87 million deal.
Despite its reluctance to part ways with Ekitike, Frankfurt found it difficult to reject Liverpool’s offer, which neared the $116 million valuation it had set for the player.
The French forward enjoyed a stellar season in 2024/25, scoring 22 goals and registering 12 assists across 48 appearances in all competitions.
His breakout form made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young attackers and marked a substantial return on the €16.5 million Eintracht paid PSG to sign him permanently last summer.
Towards the end of last season, Ekitike delivered another standout performance in a 2-1 Europa League victory over Ajax, leaving one pundit visibly stunned by his display.
Speaking post-match, Wesley Sneijder, who won the treble with Inter Milan in 2010 said: “I might say something really crazy, but I’ll say it anyway: I think he’s a mix between Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappé. I sincerely think so.
“He has the grace of Neymar, but also the movements of Mbappé. To suddenly accelerate, that’s something that Mbappé also has. And he’s only 22 years old. There’s really a lot of potential in this boy."
Having spent a season and a half at PSG, Ekitike is no stranger to the demands of playing for a top-tier club. His standout performances last season were instrumental in securing Eintracht Frankfurt a place in the Champions League.
One clear theme unites Liverpool’s latest attacking additions: pace. It was a quality Arne Slot’s squad notably lacked last season, but as the summer window unfolds, it’s becoming increasingly evident that the 2025/26 Liverpool side will look very different from the version seen in Slot’s debut campaign.
This season, fans can expect more dynamism and variation in the Reds’ attacking play—more overlapping runs, greater creativity through the middle, and a stronger goal threat from multiple areas of the pitch.
While Liverpool was highly effective last term, its reliance on Mohamed Salah for decisive moments was apparent.
With Florian Wirtz already signed and Ekitike next through the door, Slot is assembling an attacking unit that could rival any in the Premier League.
Ekitike brings a unique skill set. Though still developing and not yet the finished article, his explosive pace, intelligent movement in behind defenders, and physical presence offer a compelling package.
Crucially, his aerial ability could help address one of Liverpool’s key shortcomings last season—scoring from set-pieces—something Slot publicly acknowledged needed improvement.
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