Hugo Ekitike is soon to be Liverpool’s next big money signing as the Reds seem to have reached agreement with Frankfurt for the player, Softfootball understands.
The French striker had interest from clubs like Manchester United and Saudi Arabia sides but wanted only the Reds and got his wish.
According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano on his X handle, Liverpool agreed a fee of €90 million and €5 million add-ons for a contract that will last until 2031. This represent the biggest fee agreed for a striker this summer and in the top 10 since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.
🚨💣 BREAKING: Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool, here we go!
Deal in place for fee over €90m for the French striker to join from Eintracht Frankfurt, potentially reaching €95m.
Six year deal for Ekitike, valid until June 2031; he only wanted Liverpool move.
New striker for Slot 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/iRbjZGz4Ob
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2025
For some context, Ekitike is a player that agreed a move to Newcastle United two seasons ago until it was hijacked by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He failed to deliver for the Ligue 1 champions and was shipped out to Bundesliga side Frankfurt after just one season.
Ekitike’s redemption
In his first season at Frankfurt he formed a perfect partnership with the Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush who is now at Manchester City.
Ekitike and Marmoush appeared together on 36 occasions for Frankfurt after the Frenchman initial arrival on loan from PSG in February 2024 and they scored a combined 35 goals.
Hugo Ekitike – All 22 Goals and 12 assists 24/25pic.twitter.com/tGvvTK60Ul
— Wale (@michaelwale_) July 20, 2025
Ekitike will be playing against Marmoush when he completes his Premier League switch but will have another opportunity of forming a partnership with arguably the best player in the league who is also Egyptian, Mohamed Salah.
Ekitike’s goals stats vs Núñez
Ekitike made 33 appearances last month in the Bundesliga, scoring 15 goals and in 18 months at Frankfurt, he scored 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances.
Núñez on his part, the Uruguayan scored just five scores with two assists in 30 appearances last campaign. A sharp contrast to his 11 goals and eight assists in the 2023/2024 season.
Overall, Núñez has scored 25 Premier League goals for Liverpool in 95 appearances for Liverpool. He got 11 in the UEFA Champions League.
Style of play
Ekitike and Núñez are very similar and not the most prolific strikers out there. Both are versatile, right-footed and known for his pace, dribbling, and good movement off the ball. They can both play as a lone striker or alongside a partner and are effective in both high-pressing.
Darwin Nunez heroics 🦸♂️
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 18, 2025
His late goals secured the win for @LFC against Brentford! pic.twitter.com/47XLuU3Uki
Both got the ability to run beyond defenses but Ekitike has close control in tight spaces. These qualities make him a constant threat to defenders.
Darwin Núñez, the sacrifice
Núñez will need to make room for Ekitike by looking for a new club as Liverpool would want to balance their books with his sale.
Núñez might not be a deadly poacher like Harry Kane or Erling Haaland but his desire to work hard and close spaces helps his teammates and was evident last season as he helped Liverpool to win their 20th Premier League.
We’ve seen such strikers before. Like when France won the 2018 World Cup with Oliver Giroud not scoring a goal despite playing in all the games. But his physicality was put to great use and it created advantage for other teammates to have clear chances to score.
Sometimes, Giroud pins down a defender and Kylian Mbappe finds more space to cause damage or Antoine Griezmann runs behind to make an assist or put the ball at the back of the net himself.
Today, Ekitike is the shining amor. Softfootball will follow his progress at Liverpool in the new season. The signing of Ekitike takes Liverpool new arrivals to six with the likes of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Florian Wirtz, Armin Pecsi, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong already at the club.
