Liverpool receive Ekitike transfer boost as Eintracht Frankfurt boss makes "bitter loss" admission

Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Dino Toppmoller has indicated that Hugo Ekitike is on course to join Liverpool this summer.

The Premier League champions have stepped up their efforts to sign the Frenchman in recent days after seemingly giving up their pursuit of Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak.

Ekitike is said to be keen to join Arne Slot's side, having reached an agreement over a six-year deal with the Merseyside club. 

Liverpool have now agreed an outline of a deal with Frankfurt, which could be worth more than €95m (£82.3m) depending on add-ons.

However, the Reds are yet to reach a full agreement, as they continue to negotiate with the Bundesliga side over the structure of the add-ons.

Toppmoller makes Ekitike admission

While the transfer may not be finalised, Toppmoller dropped a major hint that Ekitike is set to join Liverpool after he was questioned about the player's absence from Saturday's friendly against FSV Frankfurt. 

"He didn't play, but you can imagine everything else," Frankfurt said as per Kicker. 

"This is a bitter loss. We lost our absolute top player in the winter with Omar Marmoush.

"The other player stepped in and developed sensationally. It's quite possible that that's history, too. So I think we need to temper expectations a bit overall."

Why are Liverpool pursuing Ekitike?

Liverpool appeared to be keen on a potential move for Isak, but Newcastle have maintained their position that their star striker is not for sale.

Rather than waste time chasing the Sweden international, the Reds have identified a strong alternative in Ekitike, who has also been linked with the Magpies.

Ekitike spent time with Reims, Vejle and Paris Saint-Germain, before he joined Frankfurt on an initial loan deal in February 2024.

After making his move permanent, Ekitike went on to enjoy a successful 2024-25 season with the German side, netting 22 goals and providing 12 assists in 48 competitive matches.