Alexander Isak alternative
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Liverpool have achieved a significant breakthrough to sign Hugo Ekitiké in their latest rounds of negotiations with 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. Transfermarkt understands that Liverpool have subsequently increased their offer to €90m in their latest bid. Frankfurt want €95m all in, and the two sides are now close to agreeing to the deal. Ekitiké was already held out of Eintracht’s friendly against city rivals FSV Frankfurt this weekend in anticipation of a transfer. “He didn’t play, I think it is obvious why,” Eintracht coach Dino Toppmöller said when asked about Ekitiké’s status.
Ekitiké will match the club record fee Frankfurt 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.
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 want significantly above his market value to consider a transfer.
€75m+ – 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
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. Whether that will be in Frankfurt or perhaps in Newcastle remains to be seen.