Liverpool have signed French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £69m deal, rising to £79m with add-ons. The 23-year-old scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season and is expected to bring flair, versatility, and high pressing energy to Arne Slot’s new-look side. His arrival pushes Liverpool’s summer spending past £250m.
Liverpool’s rebuild under Arne Slot has taken another ambitious leap with the signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69 million, rising to £79 million with add-ons. The 23-year-old French striker becomes the club’s fourth major addition of the summer, pushing their total transfer spend beyond £250 million in what is shaping up to be a transformative window at Anfield.
Ekitike arrives with pedigree and promise—but also questions. After struggling to break through at Paris Saint-Germain, he reignited his career in Germany. Last season, he tallied 15 goals and 8 assists in 31 Bundesliga starts, ranking among the league’s top five for goal involvements and leading all players in total shots (117).
Those numbers paint the picture of a high-volume, high-ceiling attacker who thrives in aggressive, transition-based systems—something that will no doubt appeal to Arne Slot, whose tactical blueprint leans heavily on structured pressing and fluid movement in attack.
Hugo has developed tremendously… and has been a true asset to our team,” Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche said following the deal.
Slot may be ushering in a new era at Liverpool, but the Ekitike signing reflects a return to a Jürgen Klopp-style striker profile: aggressive off the ball, intelligent in the press, and versatile in build-up play.
According to tactical analyst Alex Keble, Ekitike excels at:
- Creating chances from open play (a Bundesliga-high 44 in 2024-25),
- Holding up the ball,
- Interchanging positions and drawing defenders out.
He’s been compared to Alexander Isak, with added flair and dribbling confidence—but crucially, less composure in front of goal. His conversion rate last season was 12.8%, with an xG underperformance of -6.6, the worst among all players in Europe’s top five leagues.
That stat suggests Liverpool are betting on raw potential, not polished product. The tools are there. Whether Slot can fine-tune them remains to be seen.
Interestingly, Liverpool had shown interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, and even had a £70m bid for Ekitike outmuscle Newcastle’s own offer. The message is clear: Slot didn’t just want any striker—he wanted a flexible, dynamic forward who fits a specific system.
The decision to pivot to Ekitike—£1m less than what Newcastle offered for him—signals a preference for a player with long-term growth and tactical upside, even if it comes with short-term risks.
- Positional versatility: Comfortable leading the line or playing in a fluid two-striker system.
- Link-up play: Offers the technical ability to combine with players like Wirtz, Szoboszlai, or Gakpo.
- Work rate: Already proven his pressing credentials under Frankfurt’s demanding setup.
He may not be the finished article, but in the hands of a tactically sharp coach like Slot, Ekitike could evolve into Liverpool’s next elite No. 9.
Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool for £69m might raise eyebrows, especially given his inconsistency in front of goal. But this is a classic Liverpool move—a calculated gamble on a player with world-class potential, under a manager eager to mold new stars rather than inherit ready-made ones.
In a summer where Liverpool have already signed Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong, this latest move adds cutting edge to their revamped attack.
The message is clear: Liverpool are back in business.
