Hugo Ekitike: Six French forwards who struggled at Liverpool as Reds accelerate £70m transfer talks

In recent hours, all signs point to Hugo Ekitike moving to Liverpool. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward could become the sixth French striker to sign for the Reds – and he will be under pressure to outperform those who came before him.

Foreign media outlets are unanimous: Ekitike is on the verge of joining Liverpool. The 23-year-old has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with the Premier League side, with only financial details left to be resolved between the club and Eintracht Frankfurt. An initial bid of €80m (£69.1m) has been mentioned, although the total could rise to €100m (£84.5m) depending on the outcome of negotiations.

Should the move be completed, Ekitike will become the seventh French forward in Liverpool’s history – a relatively rare tradition, and one that has yet to produce a real success story. If his transfer is confirmed, the Stade de Reims academy graduate will be tasked with rewriting that history and becoming the first French striker to truly make his mark at Anfield.

Anthony Le Tallec

A product of Le Havre, Anthony Le Tallec joined Liverpool in 2002 at the age of just 18 – an unprecedented move at the time. He was immediately loaned back to his boyhood club before making his Liverpool debut in the 2003-04 season. His time on Merseyside ultimately proved underwhelming, with just one goal in 32 appearances across two years. However, he was part of the squad that won the 2005 Champions League, although he did not feature in the final against AC Milan.

Florent Sinama-Pongolle

Also developed at Le Havre and a teammate of Le Tallec, Florent Sinama-Pongolle similarly attracted the attention of Liverpool scouts and manager Gerard Houllier. Despite his talent, he struggled for regular opportunities, competing with the likes of Fernando Morientes and Peter Crouch. He scored nine goals in 65 appearances for the club.

Bernard Diomede

Bernard Diomede’s Liverpool career was even more disappointing. The 1998 World Cup winner made just five appearances in two and a half seasons at Anfield (2000 to January 2003). An early injury sidelined him long-term and prevented him from establishing himself in Houllier’s well-oiled side.

Nicolas Anelka

After returning to PSG in 2000, Nicolas Anelka’s relationship with manager Luis Fernandez deteriorated, prompting a six-month loan to Liverpool in January 2002. However, his stint in England did not reignite his career, as he scored just five goals in 22 matches. He would go on to join Manchester City that summer – a far less formidable side at the time.

David Ngog

Touted as a promising prospect at PSG, David Ngog moved to Liverpool in 2008 after only 25 senior appearances in France. Though his start in England was challenging, his next two seasons showed signs of promise. The arrivals of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll ultimately led to his departure in 2011. Ngog’s tally of 19 goals in 93 matches was respectable, even if he never cemented a starting role.

Djibril Cisse

Arguably the most memorable French striker to wear the Liverpool shirt, Djibril Cisse joined the club in 2004 from Auxerre, arriving with a reputation as one of Europe’s top forwards. His early Premier League performances were mixed, and two serious injuries hampered his progress.

Despite scoring in the Champions League final shootout and netting a brace in the UEFA Super Cup, the Frenchman – often deployed on the right wing – struggled to replicate his previous impact. He left the club after two seasons, having scored 24 goals, and returned to Ligue 1 with Marseille.

This article was originally published on Top Mercato.