The 23-year-old French striker, who scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions last season, has emerged as a top target for Arne Slot’s side as they seek to bolster their attack for the 2025/26 Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
According to multiple sources, Liverpool have made significant strides, with Ekitike expressing a clear preference for a move to Anfield over other suitors like Newcastle United and Chelsea.
Negotiations have advanced rapidly, with Liverpool submitting a verbal offer exceeding £70 million, though Frankfurt are holding firm for a fee closer to Ekitike’s €100 million (£86.5 million) release clause. Personal terms are nearly finalized, with reports indicating a six-year contract has been agreed in principle.
Sky Sports and The Athletic report that Liverpool aim to wrap up the deal by the weekend, with talks focusing on the payment structure. Florian Plettenberg noted on X that negotiations continued into Thursday evening without an agreement, but Friday’s discussions are expected to be decisive, with Ekitike eagerly awaiting a resolution.
Ekitike’s profile—tall, agile, and versatile with a knack for pressing—fits Slot’s system, offering a focal point for new signings like Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah to exploit. His 3.74 shots per 90 minutes (top 7% in Europe) and 3.5 shot-creating actions per game make him a dynamic addition.
The move is partly driven by Liverpool’s need to replace Darwin Núñez, who is expected to depart amid interest from Napoli and Al-Hilal, following his cryptic “sadness” comment and inconsistent finishing (seven Premier League goals in 2024/25).
John Aldridge’s earlier backing of Núñez’s potential under Slot hasn’t quelled speculation, and Ekitike is seen as an upgrade, especially after Liverpool cooled their pursuit of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak due to his £120-150 million valuation.
The Reds’ recent signings of Wirtz (£116 million), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5 million), and Milos Kerkez (£40 million) have already strengthened the squad, but Ekitike’s arrival would complete a formidable attack.
However, Liverpool’s non-homegrown player quota is full, meaning sales—like Núñez or potentially Luis Diaz, who has drawn interest from Barcelona and PSG—are necessary to register new signings. Fans on X are buzzing, with posts calling the potential deal a “power play” and envisioning a “stacked” forward line. If talks conclude successfully, Ekitike could be Liverpool’s fourth major signing, setting the stage for a thrilling title defense.
