Liverpool have opened up talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential move for rising French striker Hugo Ekitike, as their hunt for a new No. 9 heats up, Afrosport reports.
This moves comes juut 24 hours after the Reds made an enquiry about Swedish forward Alexander Isak, currently at Newcastle United.
However, the Magpies wasted no time to inform Liverpool that Isak is not for sale. Not unless they’re ready to cough up at least £150 million—about £30m more than what Liverpool were willing to offer.
With that lead gone cold, Arne Slot’s side have turned their attention to Ekitike, a man who’s been making serious noise in Germany. Interestingly, Newcastle had also tried to sign the 22-year-old earlier this week but a club-record £70m bid was rejected by Frankfurt.
Ekitike first landed in Frankfurt on loan from Paris Saint-Germain back in February 2024. After impressing quickly, the German side snapped him up permanently for a reported €16.5 million just two months later, with the young forward signing a long-term deal keeping him at the club until 2029.
The France youth international, who is of Cameroon heritage, had a standout season, netting 22 goals and laying on 12 assists in 48 matches across all competitions. He was a big part of Frankfurt’s success last term, helping them finish third in the Bundesliga and punch their ticket to next season’s Champions League.
Now, with Liverpool knocking, and a fresh project under Arne Slot taking shape, Ekitike might just be the next man to walk through at Anfield. But don’t expect Frankfurt to let him go on the cheap.
