How Ekitike Joined Liverpool and What They Gain

A Big Move for Hugo Ekitike

For Hugo Ekitike, the decision to join Liverpool was clear from the moment he spoke with head coach Arne Slot about his plans for the season ahead. The France youth international was completely convinced that a move to Anfield would be the right step in his career. However, there was still a lot of work to be done behind the scenes.

Eintracht Frankfurt, the club Ekitike joined permanently in a €17.5 million deal from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, are known for their expert negotiations and would only allow the departure of their star forward if one of his many suitors made a significant offer. On Monday, Liverpool did just that, agreeing to pay Frankfurt an initial £69 million fee plus a further £10 million in performance-related add-ons to secure Ekitike's signature.

This is a major move for the 23-year-old and another sign of intent from the Premier League champions. Other signings this summer include Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, and Bayer Leverkusen duo Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.

Despite such heavy spending, signing a new centre-forward has always been a priority for Liverpool. Darwin Núñez, who joined the club from Benfica for an initial £64 million in 2022, is likely to depart after failing to meet expectations over three seasons. Federico Chiesa also appears poised for an exit, having been omitted from Liverpool's squad for their preseason tour of Asia.

Luis Díaz, who was often deployed up front by Slot last season, faces an uncertain future amid interest from Bayern Munich, who recently rejected a €67.5 million bid. The ongoing changes in Liverpool’s forward line come against the backdrop of Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother André Silva in a car accident earlier this month.

Liverpool intensified their pursuit of a No.9 when they enquired about the availability of Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak. However, Newcastle have maintained their stance that the player is not for sale. Ekitike, though younger than Isak, is seen as a promising talent with the potential to develop into one of Europe’s best strikers.

Why Liverpool Chose Ekitike

When signing a player, Liverpool relies heavily on data and statistics. For Ekitike, the numbers were impressive. He burst onto the scene during the 2021-22 season while playing for Reims, scoring 11 goals in 26 games. This led to a €35 million move to PSG, where he initially joined on loan before the transfer became permanent.

During his time in Paris, Ekitike had the opportunity to learn from Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. However, after the arrival of Luis Enrique in 2023, opportunities became limited, prompting him to join Frankfurt on loan before making the move permanent in 2024. His performance at Frankfurt was stellar, with 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 games.

Standing at 6-foot-2, Ekitike is an imposing figure capable of playing in various positions across the front line. At Frankfurt, he thrived playing in a front two alongside Omar Marmoush before the latter’s move to Manchester City. In his absence, Ekitike proved himself as a lone striker, supported by players like Farès Chaïbi and Mario Götze.

Ekitike is considered a modern No.9 with room for improvement. He had 15 goals from an expected goals (xG) value of 21.6 in the Bundesliga last term, taking 117 shots—more than any other player in the division. If he can refine his finishing at Anfield, he could become a formidable threat for Premier League defenders.

Stylistically, Ekitike is similar to fellow Liverpool target Isak, both being tall, pacy, and technically skilled. However, he models himself after Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema, aiming to emulate his success in the years ahead. He is an accomplished dribbler and enjoys creating for his teammates, with scouts noting that "he loves playing for others who love playing for him."

Slot's Influence Sealed the Deal

Only a week ago, it seemed Ekitike might be heading to Newcastle. The Tyneside club had shown interest in him since his time at Reims and continued to monitor him. However, Liverpool’s move came first, with the club preparing an initial £70 million fee, although no add-ons had been agreed upon before Liverpool stepped in.

Sources indicated that Liverpool had long considered Ekitike as a top target for a new centre-forward. The club’s sporting director Richard Hughes, chief scout Barry Hunter, and CEO Michael Edwards had been following his progress for months. Hughes had previously admired Ekitike during his time as technical director at Bournemouth.

The club first contacted Ekitike’s camp in March, with talks intensifying in recent weeks. It is understood that Slot held a Zoom call with Ekitike, outlining his need for a mobile and dynamic No.9 who could combine brilliance on the ball with tenacity and intelligence off it. Ekitike saw himself as the perfect fit, with sources stating that Slot delivered a "masterclass," prompting the player to prioritize a move to Liverpool despite interest from elsewhere.

There were initial concerns about whether Ekitike was ready for such a big move, drawing comparisons to his switch to PSG three years ago. However, with Ekitike having learned from that experience and developed significantly over the past few seasons, there is now confidence that the timing is right.

Negotiations continued over the weekend, but when Ekitike was left out of Frankfurt’s squad for a friendly match, it signaled the end of his time there. Manager Dino Toppmoller acknowledged the loss, saying, “This is a bitter loss. We lost our absolute top player in the winter with Omar Marmoush. The other player stepped in and developed sensationally. It's quite possible that that's history, too.”

Liverpool's Big Summer

Liverpool has never focused on "winning" the transfer window. After their Champions League triumph in 2019, their only signings were teenage players and back-up goalkeepers. However, this strategy was vindicated the following season when they won their first league title in 30 years.

After Jurgen Klopp’s departure, the only addition to the squad was Federico Chiesa in a £12.5 million transfer from Juventus. Despite this, Slot was satisfied with the squad he inherited, leading the team to a comfortable title win. Still, there has been a growing sense that this would be a summer of change at Anfield.

Captain Virgil van Dijk expressed confidence in the board’s ability to make the right decisions, stating, “I think Liverpool should be able to challenge for titles in the upcoming years. Whatever happens in terms of players going out, players coming in, I think it should be a big summer.”

So far, the Liverpool board has not disappointed, acting decisively to bring in players who can strengthen Slot’s title-winning squad. The signing of Wirtz, in particular, signals the club’s desire to build a dynasty under the Dutchman. Should the full range of performance-related add-ons be met, Wirtz will become a British record signing.

While some may find Liverpool’s activity surprising, the club has never shied away from spending big when the opportunity arises. Their previous signings, such as Van Dijk and Alisson Becker, have proven to be game-changing additions.

If Ekitike goes on to have a similar impact at Anfield, it will be money well spent.