Discovering Hugo Ekitike’s Path to Liverpool: What the Club Gains from This Move

For Hugo Ekitike, choosing to join Liverpool was a straightforward decision. After discussing the upcoming season’s plans with Liverpool’s coach Arne Slot, the French Youth International was completely convinced about the move to Anfield.

However, negotiations were still necessary behind the scenes. Ekitike had been at Eintracht Frankfurt after transitioning from Paris Saint-Germain on a €17.5 million deal last summer. Still, his exit would only be approved if a substantial bid came from interested teams. On Monday, Liverpool took action, agreeing to pay Frankfurt an additional £10 million plus performance-related bonuses to secure Ekitike’s signature on top of the initial £609 million fee.

This move is significant for the 23-year-old and highlights Liverpool’s continued ambition. Along with Ekitike, the Premier League champions have also added Valencia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamaldaschvili, Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremy Fripon and Florian Wiltz this summer.

Despite the hefty expenditures, finding a new center forward is a high priority for Liverpool, especially as Darwin Nunez, who joined from Benfica for £64 million in 2022, may leave after underwhelming performances over three seasons on Merseyside.

Lewis Diaz’s future is also uncertain, especially with Bayern Munich’s recent offer of €67.5 million (£58.6 million) being rejected last week.

This ongoing transition in Liverpool’s attack is even more poignant following the tragic death of Diogo Jota, who lost his life alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash earlier this month.

Last week, Liverpool made inquiries about Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. The 25-year-old Swedish international has been a long-term target for the club, although Newcastle has thus far insisted that he is not for sale.

Although Ekitike may not have the same caliber as Isak, he is viewed by Liverpool’s decision-makers as someone with the potential to become one of Europe’s top strikers. So, what should fans anticipate from him upon his arrival in the Premier League?

“He loves to play for others.”

In selecting players, Liverpool leans on data analytics, and Ekitike’s statistics are certainly compelling.

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“ESPN FC” crew debates the implications of Liverpool’s signing of Hugo Ekitike.

Emerging from the French team Limas, where he shot to prominence during the 2021-22 season, Ekitike impressed by netting 11 goals in 26 appearances for his youth club. This led to a €35 million transfer to PSG, where he spent time on loan in 2022 before making a permanent move a year later.

At PSG, he had the chance to train alongside superstars like Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, but opportunities dwindled with the arrival of manager Luis Enrique in the summer of 2023. He recorded 12 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances while in the Bundesliga.

At 6 feet 2 inches tall, Ekitike is an imposing figure who can adapt to various roles in the attack. He shone at Frankfurt playing in a two-forward setup with Omar Marmoush, before Marmoush moved to Manchester City for £59 million. In the absence of the Egyptian international, Ekitike excelled as a striker, providing support for teammates like Farez Chaibi and Mario Gotze. Liverpool fans are hopeful he can form similar partnerships with Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Wiltz.

Ekitike typifies the modern No. 9, with plenty of room for growth. For instance, last season he registered 15 goals despite a Bundesliga expected goals (XG) value of 21.6, from 117 shots taken. If he can fine-tune his finishing at Anfield, he could become a nightmare for Premier League defenders.

Stylistically, Ekitike’s skill set matches Liverpool’s target Isak—they are both tall, technically adept, and have been compared to Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema. He possesses excellent dribbling capabilities and enjoys creating chances for teammates. According to a scout from leading European clubs:

While he has yet to secure a spot on the French senior national team, his five caps at the under-21 level suggest that a successful season at Liverpool could lead to national team selection for the 2026 World Cup under Didier Deschamps.

Slot’s “MasterClass” Influenced Ekitike’s Choice

Just a week ago, it seemed Ekitike was on his way to Newcastle. The Tyneside club had attempted to sign the striker while he was still at Reims in 2022 and maintained interest since then. This summer, Newcastle made another formal inquiry, but conversations stalled as Liverpool stepped in with an offer, meeting the initial £70 million fee.

Although there was external pressure from Newcastle, their pursuit was part of a strategy to sign Isak instead. Nonetheless, Ekitike had always been a top target for Liverpool’s transfer strategy. Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes, chief scout Barry Hunter, and Michael Edwards (CEO of Fenway Sports Group) have consistently praised the player.

Sources indicate that the club approached Ekitike’s camp back in March, with serious discussions starting last week. Slot reportedly held Zoom calls with Ekitike, explaining the need for a dynamic, mobile No. 9 who combines skill with intelligence and tenacity. Ekitike felt he could fit in perfectly, and those close to him emphasized the “master class” aspect of Slot’s presentation, prompting him to prioritize Liverpool over other interests.

Initial concerns did arise regarding whether Ekitike was prepared for a significant transfer, referencing his previous move to PSG. However, it appears he has gained valuable experience and growth over the past seasons, making him ready for this next step.

Negotiations continued throughout the weekend, with clear signs of Ekitike’s imminent transfer as he was omitted from the Frankfurt squad for a friendly against FSV Frankfurt. Manager Dino Toppmoller acknowledged Ekitike’s absence when questioned about his future.

“This is a serious blow. We have lost Omar Marmoush and other key players in the winter. New players have stepped up and adapted adequately. But there’s definitely potential for more changes,” Toppmoller remarked.

Nonetheless, Frankfurt’s loss turned into Liverpool’s gain as Ekitike is set to sign a six-year deal at Anfield. Medical examinations in the UK are expected to take place on Tuesday, followed by a chance to join Slot’s team during their tour in Hong Kong later this week, allowing him to integrate with new teammates before the season starts.

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Highlights of Hugo Ekitike’s best goals and assists for Frankfurt.

Liverpool’s Ambitious Summer Strategy

Liverpool has not historically focused on “winning” the transfer window. Post-2019 Champions League victory, their only signings were youth players Sepp van Den Berg and Harvey Elliott, which drew criticism from some fans regarding a lack of significant additions. However, this approach paid off when Jurgen Klopp’s team secured their first league title in 30 years the following season.

Following Klopp’s departure last summer, only Chiesa arrived for £12.5 million from Juventus. Again, Liverpool faced scrutiny for inactivity, yet Slot felt content with the existing squad, leading to a title victory in his first term. Nevertheless, there has been a growing sense that this summer would be different at Anfield.

“I believe Liverpool can challenge for the title in the coming years,” said captain Virgil van Dijk in April. “Regardless of player comings and goings, I expect this to be a significant summer. We must trust the management to make the right decisions as fans of Liverpool.”

So far, Liverpool’s operations have not disappointed, making decisive moves in the market to enhance their squad after title wins. The signing of Wirtz signifies the club’s ambition to establish a dynasty under Slot, positioning them as perennial contenders for top honors.

Liverpool has faced heavy competition for Wirtz from both Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Should all performance-related bonuses (valued at £16 million) be met, Wirtz could become the most expensive British player, surpassing Moisés Caicedo’s £115 million move to Chelsea in 2023.

While Liverpool’s aggressive spending has surprised some, their capacity for these investments is a result of prudent management in previous transfer windows, ensuring compliance with profitability and sustainability regulations. Additionally, they may explore further defensive signings following Jarrell Kuanza’s £35 million departure to Leverkusen. If Diaz leaves, the club could also seek another winger before the window closes.

While some outsiders believe Liverpool’s current activity doesn’t align with their typically cautious approach, the Reds have never hesitated to seize opportunities to bring elite talent to the club. They did so in January 2018 when hiring goalkeeper Alisson Becker and center-back Virgil van Dijk the following summer.

If Ekitike delivers similar impacts at Anfield, he could prove to be an extremely valuable investment.