Latest Liverpool news and rumours as a fresh update emerges on Eintracht Frankfurt star and in-demand striker target Hugo Ekitike ahead of the summer window
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike is a rumoured Liverpool transfer target(Image: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool have already held talks with the representatives of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, according to fresh reports.
The 22-year-old France youth international has emerged as one of Europe’s most sought after attacking talents with a number of top clubs in the market for a striker this summer.
Liverpool are among them amid uncertainty over the futures of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.
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While Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak has long been regarded as the standout candidate among fans and the media, a deal for the Sweden international is far from straightforward given the excessive fee that would be required to prise him from St James’ Park.
Therefore, it is no surprise to see links with alternative options emerge. According to journalist Ben Bocsak, reporting for Anfield Watch, preliminary talks with Ekitike’s representatives have already taken place in London last week.
He is among the options to replace Nunez in the forward line should the Uruguayan depart Anfield at the end of the season.
The article claims discussions with the player’s agent were exploratory and to simply outline the vision and present their intentions.
However, Liverpool were not the only club to do so, with representatives of both Arsenal and Manchester United also holding talks with Ekitike’s camp.
Talks were understood to be positive and all three clubs are expected to be in the race for the forward when the summer transfer window arrives.
However, it is also worth noting that both United and Arsenal have been heavily linked with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is also in-demand as the window approaches.
Ekitike came through the ranks in France at Stade de Reims and spent time at Paris Saint-Germain before he was signed by Eintracht Frankfurt on a permanent deal last summer.
This season, he has scored 19 goals and registered eight assists in 39 appearances across all competitions for the Bundesliga club.
He has a long-term deal with Frankfurt which runs until the summer of 2029. The youngster’s stock has been steadily rising across the current campaign and widespread reports indicate it will take a fee in the region of £60m to sign him this summer.