Liverpool are on the verge of completing another huge transfer move ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season with Hugo Ekitike landing on Merseyside.
The Reds have already broken the Premier League transfer record this summer, following the arrival of Germany international Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, and a move for Ekitike will take their spending over £250m in the current window.
The 23-year-old is finalising the remaining details over a £69m switch to Anfield with a medical now the last step towards wrapping up his move from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Newcastle United had also registered an interest in the French forward, with £70m offered rejected by Frankfurt, as Liverpool's offer also includes an extra £10m in performance-related add-ons.
Ekitike netted 22 goals in all competitions in his debut 2024/25 season at Frankfurt, with 15 in the Bundesliga, alongside an overall tally of 12 assists.
Arne Slot's plan is to utilise his incoming new star in a central role, flanked by Wirtz and talisman Mohamed Salah, with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez both expected to move on.
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Salah was sensational for Liverpool in 2024/25, as Slot swept to the top-flight title in his first season in charge, as he rolled back the years and signed a contract extension until 2027.
MORE: Is Ekitike worth the transfer fee? Frankfurt star's stats, best position as Liverpool close in
The Egyptian is well ahead of Ekitike in terms of goals and assists from last season, as the 33-year-old enjoyed his best campaign since 2017/18.
Ekitike vs. Salah: Liverpool's new star leads in key metrics
Salah wrapped up 2024/25 with 34 goals in all competitions - including a Golden Boot winning 29 in league action - with 23 assists overall.
Ekitike will play a different role to Salah, with Liverpool's No.11 unmoved on the right-side of Slot's attack, and his numbers catch the eye as per Fbref.com.
His xG per minutes in the Bundesliga was above Salah's tally with 0.76 compared to 0.67.
He also finished top of the Bundesliga's shots taken per 90 list, with 4, as Salah only managed 3.2.
His ability to score from open play is also crucial, with Salah remaining as Liverpool's first-choice penalty taker, with non-penalty xG per 90 rate of 0.68 up against Salah's 0.49.
Liverpool news and related links
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