Eintracht Frankfurt Set to Hit £299m Transfer Profit after Hugo Ekitike’s Move to Liverpool | OneFootball

Inside Eintracht Frankfurt’s Golden Striker Strategy: Sustainable Success in the Modern Game

Eintracht Frankfurt are redefining what success looks like in modern football, and they are doing it on their own terms. As The Athletic recently reported, the German club are on the verge of raking in an astonishing €345million in net profits from striker sales alone across just six years. And this is no accident. It’s the result of a deliberate, intelligent and uncompromising strategy built around youth development, market awareness and strategic reinvestment.

At the heart of this success is sporting director Markus Krosche, who since his appointment in 2021 has shaped a club identity that thrives on player growth and well-timed departures. “Selling players is part of my job. I am not emotional about it. It’s business,” Krosche said in an interview with Sky Sports.

Self-Sustainability Through Smart Sales

Frankfurt’s approach is refreshingly transparent. They don’t pretend to be what they are not. “We are a club in between, who sell to these end clubs,” Krosche told Sky. It’s a philosophy that has attracted the right kind of talent: ambitious, talented, hungry. Players know that Frankfurt is a launchpad, and the club, in return, gets commitment, value and serious resale potential.

This summer, Hugo Ekitike is the latest to join the elite list of Frankfurt alumni set to step up to football’s top table. His move to Liverpool, worth a reported €91million including add-ons, will push Frankfurt’s net profit since 2023 to around €161million. This staggering figure follows on from previous record exits, including Randal Kolo Muani and Omar Marmoush, both signed as free agents and sold for a combined €165million.

Even before Krosche’s era, the club had an eye for business. Luka Jovic and Sebastien Haller, sold in the same 2019 window, netted the club huge profits, with Andre Silva following the same path a year later. Transfermarkt ranks Frankfurt as the top club for net profits in Europe over the past three years, and they’ve achieved it while consistently improving on the pitch, finishing third in the Bundesliga last season.

Environment That Nurtures Elite Talent

Frankfurt’s competitive edge goes beyond just good scouting. Their infrastructure is built to maximise player development. The Athletic notes investments in training facilities, psychologists, nutritionists and a range of individualised coaching. It’s no wonder the club’s players hit the ground running and improve rapidly.

As CEO Axel Hellmann explained, “We have one of the best coaching teams in the Bundesliga… When Marmoush arrived, he wasn’t really a goalscorer… We created a whole new player. It’s good education and good coaching.”

This model doesn’t just develop players — it transforms them. Marmoush left as a multi-dimensional attacker, a set-piece threat and a much more mature footballer than the one who arrived.

Recruitment with a Clear Vision

There’s nothing accidental about who Frankfurt signs. Of their last 26 permanent signings, 21 were aged under 25. They aren’t afraid to spend either — eight-figure deals are common when a player fits the club’s blueprint.

Take Arthur Theate, for instance. Signed at 24 from Rennes, he brought top-flight experience from Italy and France and became one of the most used players in the squad. Jonathan Burkardt, another recent arrival, is tipped to follow the same path. At 25, he’s already a proven Bundesliga scorer and, crucially, positionally flexible.

Fast Breaks, Fast Profits

What sets Frankfurt apart tactically is their embrace of fast-paced, counter-attacking football. They were the most productive team in Europe’s top leagues for expected goals from fast breaks last season, second only to Liverpool in goals from such situations. This high-tempo system is ideal for forwards looking to shine in space, run behind defences and boost their output quickly — all factors that raise transfer value.

It is no coincidence that both Marmoush and Ekitike flourished under this setup, showcasing traits that top clubs crave.

Conclusion: Pragmatism as Power

Eintracht Frankfurt know exactly who they are. They are not trying to fight the market, they are mastering it. By focusing on youth, coaching, and a clearly defined playing style, they continue to set the benchmark for sustainable football success.

And as long as the Premier League continues to pay premiums for explosive, ready-made attackers, Frankfurt’s conveyor belt shows no sign of slowing.