Liverpool spend big again to bring in Ekitike
Liverpool have gone big in their efforts to strengthen ahead of their title defence, with Hugo Ekitike the latest addition.
Liverpool have completed the signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m (€80m) plus up to £9m (€10m) in add-ons.
Reports suggest the deal could rise to £78m (€90m) in total, and though Liverpool have not confirmed details of Ekitike's contract, it is thought he has penned a six-year deal.
Ekitike scored 22 goals in all competitions last season across 48 appearances as he helped Eintracht secure Champions League qualification.
His goal contributions tally of 34 (22 goals, 12 assists) in all competitions last season was bettered by only three other Bundesliga players – Michael Olise (35 – 17 goals, 18 assists), Serhou Guirassy (40 – 34 goals, six assists) and Harry Kane (49 – 38 goals, 11 assists).
The 23-year-old joined the Bundesliga side in February 2024, initially on loan, before making the move from Paris Saint-Germain permanent in April of that year.
Ekitike is the fifth new signing for Liverpool this transfer window, following the additions of Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Freddie Woodman. He is the third player to join the Reds from the Bundesliga this pre-season.
The striker had also been linked with other Premier League clubs, with Newcastle United reportedly seeing a bid rejected last week.
Liverpool, having reportedly seen advances to Newcastle for striker Alexander Isak rebuffed, then made an approach to Eintracht and swiftly concluded a deal.
Among players in Europe's top five leagues, Benjamin Sesko and Bradley Barcola (both 21) were the only younger players to net at least 20 goals in all competitions.
Ekitike had the second-highest expected goals (xG) (21.6) in the Bundesliga last season, behind only Guirassy (23.0), and led the competition for shots (117) and touches in the opposition box (206).
