Liverpool Move One Step Closer to Signing £86.7m Forward – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool Push Ahead for Hugo Ekitike: What It Means for the Reds

Liverpool are closing in on one of Europe’s brightest young talents as they negotiate a blockbuster deal for Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. As reported by Ian Doyle for The Liverpool Echo, the Reds have already agreed personal terms with the French striker, a clear signal of intent from Arne Slot’s side as they prepare to defend their Premier League title.

Ekitike: The Striker Liverpool Want

Ekitike’s numbers last season were eye-catching. With 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 games, he has rightly become one of Europe’s most coveted young forwards. According to Doyle, Frankfurt have already turned down an €80m (£69.4m) bid from Newcastle, but sources suggest a bid closer to €100m (£86.7m) would convince the Bundesliga club to sell.

Liverpool’s recruitment team sees Ekitike as the ideal player to lead the line for years to come. “The fact that we’re pushing so strongly suggests our recruitment team believes he could be the ideal long-term solution to lead our line,” Doyle writes. This would mark a statement signing for Arne Slot as he shapes his squad for the challenges ahead.

Photo: IMAGO

Implications for Other Transfer Targets

One of the most intriguing aspects of this potential deal is what it means for Liverpool’s long-term interest in Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker has been admired by many within the club, but as Doyle notes, “Arne Slot, who used just one central striker during our title-winning campaign, is unlikely to want both Isak and Ekitike in the same window.”

Bringing in Ekitike could effectively close the door on any future pursuit of Isak. It also raises tactical questions, as Slot’s system seems best suited to a single focal point up front, making it unlikely that both would be accommodated.

Shifting Dynamics in the Liverpool Attack

Liverpool’s attacking unit is in a period of change. Darwin Nunez is reportedly eyeing moves to Al Hilal or AC Milan, while Luis Diaz has attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Federico Chiesa is wanted back in Italy, and even young Ben Doak could be sold if a suitable offer arrives.

As Doyle aptly summarises, “the state of flux in Liverpool’s attack remains – both for the present and the future.” Right now, only Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo seem guaranteed to feature heavily next season, though Florian Wirtz has been brought in to provide creativity behind the striker.

Long-Term Planning or Short-Term Fix?

The potential Ekitike signing suggests Liverpool are thinking beyond just next season. It’s not merely a case of filling the Nunez gap; it’s about securing a long-term number nine who can grow alongside Wirtz and Gakpo. But it also raises an important debate: are the club making too many moves too quickly, risking instability, or is this the calculated rebuild needed to stay at the top?

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This report is absolutely buzzing news for Liverpool fans! After lifting the Premier League title in his debut season, Arne Slot is showing no signs of standing still. The prospect of bringing in Hugo Ekitike is mouth-watering.

Ekitike is exactly the kind of young, dynamic forward we crave: pace, skill, goals, and hunger. At just 23, he has already lit up the Bundesliga, and imagining him running onto passes from Florian Wirtz is enough to make any Red excited. While some supporters will be disappointed that Alexander Isak might now be off the table, most will understand that Slot’s system works best with a clear, defined number nine — and Ekitike looks tailor-made for that role.

There’s also a quiet satisfaction that Liverpool are moving decisively. With Nunez potentially leaving and questions over Diaz and Chiesa, we need clarity up front. Signing Ekitike early gives Slot the chance to integrate him properly during pre-season and avoid the panicked last-minute buys we’ve seen in past windows.

Most exciting of all, this feels like part of a long-term vision. With Wirtz, Gakpo, and Salah, and now potentially Ekitike, the Liverpool attack is being reimagined — not just for this season, but for the next three to five years. It’s a great time to be a Red.