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Hugo Ekitike has candidly discussed his future with his Eintracht Frankfurt teammates amid ongoing speculation linking him with a Premier League switch. Liverpool is rumored to be eyeing the striker, while Newcastle United is believed to be intensifying its pursuit.
Reports suggest that the Magpies have engaged in discussions with both the Bundesliga club and Ekitike's agents. Frankfurt are reportedly holding out for $115 million (£86 million) to part with the forward.
Should Newcastle secure his services, he would eclipse Alexander Isak as their most expensive acquisition. According to The Chronicle, Newcastle is aiming to negotiate a deal closer to $94 million (£70 million) for the Frenchman.
The report also hints that Liverpool could ramp up their interest in response to Newcastle's advances. Frankfurt's Timothy Chandler has weighed in on Ekitike's situation. He acknowledges the possibility of the striker moving on but is confident that Ekitike won't slack off to force a departure.
"I really don't think so, I have to say it," Chandler expressed to BILD. "He's very open about it; we talked about it on the first day (of pre-season).
"If he stays here, he'll do anything for Eintracht. I completely believe him. He's pushing hard. You really have to say that. And he says: If something happens, then something happens; if not, then not.
"As long as he's here, he'll push hard and is a very, very good boy. And I also know that even if he ends up staying here, he'll give it his all."
Ekitike dazzled last season, netting 22 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in Frankfurt's Champions League qualification.
Former Liverpool forwards Erik Meijer and Sean Dundee, now offering their insights as Bundesliga pundit and co-commentator, respectively, have both expressed their admiration for Ekitike, suggesting he'd be an astute acquisition for their former side should the Reds decide to swoop in.
In an exclusive chat with the ECHO, Meijer enthused, "Yeah, Ekitike has a very good season. Last season was already good, he was on a loan," adding, "And now he is on a contract in Frankfurt, phwoar, he played a very good season!
"He has abilities that also would fit in at Liverpool. Speed, technically he's really on a high, high level. The only thing he doesn't have is a lot of experience."
"The last one and a half years he played all the matches at Frankfurt, so his level went up step by step and he was the main goalscorer at Frankfurt after Marmoush left to Manchester City.
"Everybody thought, oh, now Frankfurt is going to have problems, but Ekitike got better and better. He's on a very good level.
"He needs players who are technically brilliant, who have speed and who are tactically on a very high level to know where the spaces are. He plays that way."
Dundee also shared his thoughts, stating, "There's a few good strikers around. Hugo Ekitike is a very good player.
"Frankfurt, what they've done over the years, they've always had really good strikers, and they're always losing them!".
"But he's also a very, very good striker. But we'll have to wait and see (if he could join Liverpool)."
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