Liverpool reaches transfer agreement worth $95 million for its next star
Liverpool has secured the signing of French forward Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, pending a successful medical, according to Sky Sports Germany and multiple English media outlets. The 23-year-old striker will join the Reds in a deal reportedly worth $95 million, including performance-based add-ons, and is set to sign a contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2031.
Ekitike, who made his name in the Bundesliga last season, is expected to become a central figure in Arne Slot’s attacking plans. While he’s not a traditional center-forward in the mold of Darwin Núñez, Ekitike brings a more dynamic and modern profile.
He is part of the new wave of versatile French attackers—quick, technical, and capable of playing across the front line. He can start wide, drop into midfield to link up play, or run in behind defenses, offering flexibility in Liverpool’s frontline.
His style has drawn comparisons to rising stars like Désiré Doué and even Kylian Mbappé, though Ekitike is still developing his own identity. What’s clear is that his breakout campaign in Germany put him firmly on the radar of Europe’s elite.
In the 2024–25 season, he scored 15 goals and contributed 8 assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances, helping lead Eintracht Frankfurt to a Champions League berth. Frankfurt finished ahead of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, an impressive feat given the competitive nature of the league.
Ekitike’s move marks a major turning point in a career that could have looked very different. A product of Paris Saint-Germain, he departed the French giants just a year and a half ago, sold for €16.5 million after failing to break into the first team. His decision to join Frankfurt proved to be a masterstroke, as he flourished under a system that allowed him to play with confidence and freedom.
Now, with a marquee move to one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, Ekitike will look to replicate that success on an even bigger stage. Liverpool is counting on his energy, versatility, and clinical finishing to help usher in a new era under Arne Slot.
The transfer is not just a major investment in talent, but a clear statement of intent from Liverpool as they aim to remain competitive at the highest level of European soccer.