3 months ago
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Liverpool is on the verge of completing a sensational $111 million deal to sign French forward Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Personal terms were settled shortly after Liverpool’s initial approach, and discussions have since progressed rapidly. According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg and multiple other sources, a breakthrough was achieved, paving the way for the final steps of the deal. Ekitike is now expected to undergo a medical in the coming days before signing a long-term contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2031.
The French striker is set to become Arne Slot’s latest high-profile addition, with Liverpool having already spent over $228 million this summer on reinforcements including Giorgi Mamardashvili, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong. Ekitike’s arrival would further bolster Slot’s attacking options as the Reds prepare for the new Premier League campaign.
Ekitike, who enjoyed a standout campaign in the Bundesliga last season with 22 goals and 12 assists, is expected to become another of Slot’s marquee signings of the summer as the Reds look to strengthen their attacking options.
With Darwin Nunez likely to depart and Luis Diaz still linked with a move to Bayern Munich, Ekitike is seen as a key piece in Slot’s revamped frontline.
As the deal edges closer to completion, speculation has turned to what squad number Ekitike might wear in his debut season.
Several numbers are currently up for grabs or could become available in the coming weeks as the club reshuffles its roster ahead of the new campaign.
Currently, the 23-year-old plays with the No. 11 at Frankfurt, but that number is unavailable on Merseyside and is occupied by Mohamed Salah. There is a chance that he could inherit the No. 9 shirt should Nunez depart.
Here's a look at the current squad numbers that are vacant...
No. 12: The No. 12 shirt at Liverpool has been vacant since 2022, when Joe Gomez switched to the No. 2 after wearing it for seven years. Historically, the number has been worn by several club legends, including Sami Hyypia, Robbie Fowler, Ronnie Whelan, and Ian Rush. Kerkez could be in line to take this number, but it does hold a lot of prestige within the attacking department
No. 15: The No. 15 shirt was last worn by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who arrived from Arsenal with high expectations. While he enjoyed flashes of brilliance at Liverpool, his time at the club was ultimately hampered by a string of injuries that disrupted his momentum. The shirt has remained vacant since his departure.
No. 23: With Diaz now wearing the iconic No. 7 shirt, the No. 23 has been left unclaimed. Previously a fan-favorite number due to its association with Jamie Carragher, it’s one that carries weight at Anfield.
Other available squad numbers worth noting are 6, 16, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33.
The number 30 could be inherited by Frimpong, who wore that number at Bayer Leverkusen.
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