Liverpool have secured the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt’s prolific striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth £79m. The 23-year-old Frenchman, who has been a standout performer in the Bundesliga, joins Arne Slot’s squad as the latest addition in a transformative summer window that has seen Liverpool’s spending approach £300m. The transfer, completed on July 24, 2025, includes an initial £69m fee with an additional £10m in performance-related add-ons, marking a significant coup for the Premier League champions.
Ekitike’s arrival comes after Liverpool were rebuffed in their pursuit of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, with the Magpies standing firm on their star striker’s £150m valuation. With Newcastle also having a £70m bid for Ekitike rejected earlier this month, Liverpool moved decisively to secure the versatile forward, outmanoeuvring interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. The France Under-21 international, who began his medical in London on July 22, has now completed all formalities and is set to join his new teammates on their pre-season tour of Asia, with Hong Kong as the next destination.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Reims forward brings a wealth of talent and versatility to Anfield. Last season, Ekitike netted an impressive 15 goals and provided eight assists in 31 Bundesliga starts, helping Frankfurt secure a third-place finish and Champions League qualification. His ability to operate as a lone striker or in tandem with others, as seen during his successful partnership with Omar Marmoush before the latter’s move to Manchester City, makes him an ideal fit for Slot’s tactical vision. Ekitike’s flair, intelligent movement, and knack for creating chances—evidenced by his 44 open-play opportunities created in the Bundesliga last season—have drawn comparisons to Isak, though his finishing remains an area for refinement, with a 12.8% conversion rate last term.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krosche expressed mixed emotions about the departure, saying, “Hugo has developed tremendously in his one and a half years with us and has been a true asset to our team and the entire club both on and off the pitch. We are delighted that he can now take the next step – a step he has earned through his performances with us.” Meanwhile, Frankfurt’s manager Dino Toppmöller described Ekitike’s exit as “a bitter loss,” adding, “We lost our absolute top player, Omar, in the winter. The other one stepped in and has developed sensationally. It may well be that that, too, is now coming to an end.”
Ekitike’s journey to this point has been one of resilience and ambition. Initially a fourth-choice forward at Reims, he burst onto the scene after a loan spell at Danish club Vejle Boldklub, eventually earning a move to PSG in 2022. However, limited opportunities in Paris led to his loan move to Frankfurt in early 2024, which was made permanent last summer for just £14m—a bargain that now sees the German club turn a significant profit. His former coach at Reims, Oscar Garcia, once noted Ekitike’s lofty aspirations, saying, “Within months, he wanted to reach the same level as Mbappé. He always was a talented player, but some coaches did not like him because of his profile and sometimes because of his character.”