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Liverpool have signed Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt. Liverpool first offered €80m earlier last week, but Frankfurt rejected that bid. That offer matched Newcastle’s bid. The Magpies left the race after Ekitiké stated internally that he only wanted to join Liverpool. Frankfurt wanted up to €95m all in, and Transfermarkt understands that the two sides have now reached an agreement in that region. Ekitiké was already held out of Eintracht’s friendly against city rivals FSV Frankfurt this weekend in anticipation of a transfer and didn’t travel to the training camp in the United States. The deal is now official.
The complete fee Frankfurt receive for Ekitiké will match the club record fee the Bundesliga club received for Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain. PSG paid €95 million for Ekitiké’s French compatriot. The Bundesliga club also sold Omar Marmoush to Man City for €75m, making Ekitiké the third major outgoing transfer by Eintracht Frankfurt in the last 24 months. What makes Ekitiké such an expensive commodity? Eintracht are experienced negotiators and in the past have always gotten their way on the transfer market. Sources have pointed out that the 23-year-old striker is currently under contract until 2029, and there is no exit clause in his deal. Those factors contributed to Ekitiké’s pricetag that will make him the second most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history and the most expensive striker ahead of Darwin Núñez (overview).
As a result, Frankfurt, while they don’t want to stay in Ekitiké’s way, also want a fair price for their striker. A significant fee was paramount as a portion of the deal will go to Ekitiké’s former club. The Bundesliga club signed Ekitiké on loan from PSG in February 2024 for €3.5m and then made the deal permanent for an additional €16.5m the following summer. Transfermarkt understands that PSG will receive 20% of the profit Frankfurt will make from the deal. Since his arrival, Ekitiké has increased his market from €15m to €75m. But Frankfurt wanted significantly above his market value to consider a transfer, and have now gotten what they wanted. The fee will take Liverpool’s spending to over €300m. The most spent by any club this transfer window.
For €95m – Why are Liverpool desperate to sign Hugo Ekitiké?
Interest in Ekitiké has been high. Ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, Chelsea showed interest in Ekitiké. At one point, Arsenal, before they pivoted to first Benjamin Sesko and then eventually Viktor Gyökeres, were interested. As for Ekitiké, Liverpool would get a player who last season finally fulfilled the high expectations placed in him when PSG signed him for €28.5m from Stade Reims in 2023. Capable of playing several positions in the attack, the addition will further add to Liverpool’s already impressive attack.
In 2024/25, Ekitiké scored 15 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga games. In a season in which Frankfurt lost top scorer Marmoush to Man City, Ekitiké was crucial to help Frankfurt finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League. As previously highlighted on Transfermarkt, Ekitiké is a complete forward who can play as a no.9 but also on the wing. Enormously talented and fast, there is also a sense that he can reach another level. It is now up to Arne Slot to get the most out of the Frenchman going forward.
