Arne Slot has secured his desired striker for Liverpool. Hugo Ekitiké joins from Eintracht Frankfurt and will sign until mid-2031.
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Liverpool is paying a staggering total of 95 million euros, including various performance-related bonuses, to secure the services of Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt.
This information has been confirmed by renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sports Germany, both highly reliable sources when it comes to transfer market news. The move marks one of the biggest investments of Liverpool's summer window so far, underlining the club’s commitment to reinforcing its attacking options ahead of the new season.
The 23-year-old French striker is expected to arrive in Liverpool within the coming days to undergo his medical examinations. If all goes well, he will then officially put pen to paper on a six-year contract that will keep him at Anfield until the summer of 2031. Such a long-term deal reflects the club’s strong belief in Ekitiké’s potential and its desire to build a new forward line around him for the years to come.
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who recently succeeded Jürgen Klopp, had been vocal internally about the need to bring in a new number nine a central figure capable of leading the line, scoring goals, and adding a fresh dynamic to the team’s attack. Slot’s arrival signaled a new era at Anfield, and one of his primary requests to the club’s hierarchy was precisely the recruitment of a physically dominant, technically skilled forward who could not only score but also link up play effectively.
Initially, Liverpool had placed Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak high on their shortlist. The Swedish international had impressed in the Premier League with his clinical finishing and intelligent movement, characteristics that Slot admired. However, Newcastle made it clear that Isak was untouchable and not available for any price, given his importance to Eddie Howe's plans and the club’s ambition to challenge for top honors.
Faced with Newcastle’s firm stance, Liverpool quickly redirected their efforts towards Ekitiké, a player the club’s scouts had been monitoring since his early breakthrough in Ligue 1 with Stade de Reims. Ekitiké had also been on Newcastle’s radar, but Liverpool’s decisive approach and financial power sealed the deal. His journey has been notable: after moving from Reims to PSG, where he struggled to establish himself in a star-studded squad, Ekitiké found his form again at Eintracht Frankfurt. His loan spell turned into a permanent move, and across two seasons in Germany, he made 64 appearances, netting 26 goals and providing 14 assists. These numbers, coupled with his athleticism and flair, convinced Liverpool that he could be the perfect fit for Slot’s high-pressing and fluid attacking system.
Liverpool’s summer transfer strategy has been particularly aggressive this year, reflecting their ambition to quickly return to the top of English and European football. Earlier in the window, the Reds pulled off a major coup by signing Florian Wirtz and Jeremy Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, both key players in the German side’s Bundesliga-winning campaign. Wirtz, a gifted attacking midfielder, is regarded as one of the most promising talents in Europe, while Frimpong adds pace, energy, and attacking thrust from the right flank.
Additionally, Liverpool also secured the signing of Milos Kerkez, the young Hungarian left-back who previously played for AZ Alkmaar and most recently AFC Bournemouth. Kerkez is expected to provide competition and cover on the left side of defense, an area where Liverpool had been seeking reinforcements.
These moves collectively represent a significant shift in Liverpool’s recruitment policy. After a couple of relatively quiet transfer windows and an aging core of players, the club is now actively rejuvenating the squad with young, dynamic talents capable of competing at the highest level for years to come. Arne Slot, known for his progressive and attractive style of play, will now have a versatile squad at his disposal, blending youthful exuberance with experienced campaigners.
With Ekitiké’s arrival, Liverpool aims to revitalize their attacking trio and provide new options alongside Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, and Luis Díaz. It remains to be seen how Slot will configure his forward line, but the Frenchman’s versatility being able to play as a central striker or drift wide offers plenty of tactical flexibility.
Liverpool fans will be eagerly awaiting Ekitiké’s first appearances in red, hoping that the substantial investment pays off both in terms of goals and overall team performance. The club’s intent is clear: to re-establish itself as a dominant force both domestically and in Europe, and the acquisition of Ekitiké is another bold step in that direction.
