Hugo Ekitike Moves Closer to Liverpool After Frankfurt Exit and Rejected Bid

The 22-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike was left out of Eintracht Frankfurt’s starting lineup for a recent pre-season friendly, fueling speculation of a potential transfer to Liverpool. The Reds are reportedly preparing a bid for the France Under-21 international, who is said to be eager to join their squad.

Earlier this week, Liverpool was linked with a move for Ekitike, with reports suggesting they are finalizing personal terms for a contract until 2031. Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 appearances for Frankfurt last season, and his departure from Germany now seems imminent.

While other Premier League clubs, such as Newcastle United, had shown interest—including a £70 million offer that fell short of his release clause—Liverpool appears to be the frontrunner for his signature. The club has already signed two German players this summer, Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and Florian Wirtz, in a combined deal worth over £145m, strengthening their squad ahead of the new season.

In recent friendly matches, Ekitike remained on the bench as negotiations continued, with a recent update from a journalist indicating that he was “getting closer to Liverpool.”

Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, is keen on adding attacking reinforcements, and Ekitike is seen as a prime candidate to bolster the team’s options. The club’s upcoming Premier League debut is scheduled for August 15 against Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, player Alexander Isak was excluded from Newcastle’s squad for a friendly due to ongoing transfer talks, with Newcastle’s manager explaining the decision was made to avoid unnecessary scrutiny amid transfer speculation.