Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt to sign striker Hugo Ekitike for a fee of £79 million. The deal is structured as an initial £69 million, with a further £10 million in add-ons. This acquisition will push Liverpool's total spending for the summer transfer window close to the £300 million mark.
Ekitike, a 23-year-old French forward, is expected to sign a six-year contract with the Reds. He is viewed as a replacement for Darwin Nunez, who is expected to depart. In the 2024/25 season, Ekitike scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists across all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt. He joined Frankfurt initially on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool's pursuit of Ekitike came after Newcastle United indicated that Alexander Isak was not for sale. Ekitike reportedly favored a move to Liverpool, convinced by the role and prospects awaiting him at Anfield.
Prior to the Ekitike agreement, Liverpool had already spent approximately £215 million on several players. These include Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, Jeremie Frimpong also from Bayer Leverkusen, and Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. Liverpool also completed the signing of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia.
This summer's spending spree marks a significant shift in Liverpool's transfer strategy under the Fenway Sports Group (FSG). While FSG has historically been perceived as risk-averse in the transfer market, their recent activity demonstrates a willingness to invest heavily in the squad. This follows a relatively quiet summer transfer window in 2024, which allowed the club to build a strong financial foundation. Liverpool posted a positive PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) margin of £48 million for the previous financial year, giving them considerable leeway for spending.
The substantial outlay has led to questions about whether Liverpool risk breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). However, the club's financial position, combined with the structure of transfer payments through amortization, allows them to manage the costs effectively. Amortization allows Liverpool to spread the costs of their summer transfers over the length of each new arrival's contract, easing the financial burden.
With the arrival of Arne Slot as the new manager, Liverpool are undergoing a significant squad overhaul. The addition of Ekitike and other key players is aimed at strengthening the team's defense of their Premier League title. Former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has noted that the integration of these new signings will be crucial to the team's success.
Beyond new signings, Liverpool also needs to focus on player sales to balance the books. Several players, including Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Harvey Elliott, have been linked with potential departures. The club may also consider selling younger players like Ben Doak and Tyler Morton. Additionally, Liverpool may look to sign a center-back, as Jarell Quansah's exit has left the team with only three senior options in that position.
