Liverpool transfer news update: Hugo Ekitike deal 'agreed' with Eintracht Frankfurt as potential debut date revealed

Published: July 19 2025 | 23:50

Last updated: July 20 2025 | 11:15

Ekitike to Liverpool: Deal 'agreed' as potential debut date revealed

Liverpool are said to have struck a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, and the forward could make his Reds debut during pre-season.

Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle with Eintracht Frankfurt for striker Hugo Ekitike, the latest report has claimed.

The Reds ended the 2024-25 season as Premier League champions, but they have shown great ambition in the summer in a bid to retain their crown.

Florian Wirtz was signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee that could reach £116m, while full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have also been bought.

The Merseysiders have been said to be keen on bringing in Eintracht centre-forward Ekitike despite competition from the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester United.

Newcastle were especially interested in the 23-year-old, but David Ornstein has reported in The Athletic that a fee exceeding £82.3m has been agreed between Liverpool and the German club, adding that the transfer is expected to materialise in the next day or so.

When could Ekitike make his debut for Liverpool?

Liverpool played their first pre-season game last Sunday, beating Preston North End 3-1 at Deepdale, and they will fly out for their tour of Asia this Sunday.

Their next cash will come against AC Milan in Hong Kong on July 26, and if Ekitike is signed early next week, he can be expected to join up with the squad before they take on the Serie A side.

Should the formalities of the transfer drag on until later in the week, then a more realistic date for the Frenchman's debut would be when the Reds face Yokohama F. Marinos on July 30.

Will Arne Slot start Ekitike against Bournemouth in the opening Premier League fixture?

Liverpool's first game of the new Premier League season will come against Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, and Ekitike will almost certainly be given the nod up front.

Current Reds striker Darwin Nunez has been strongly linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, and he only started eight times in the top flight last term, so he is unlikely to be trusted by boss Arne Slot going forward.

While winger Luis Diaz has been utilised as a false nine by the Dutch manager, a transfer to Bayern Munich could take place, and his exit would leave Slot short of options in the centre-forward position.