Liverpool have reached an settlement in precept to signal French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, dealing a serious blow to Newcastle United, who had been initially seen as front-runners for the participant.
The Reds are set to pay £69 million up entrance with an extra £10 million in performance-based add-ons, based on Softfootball. The deal was reportedly sealed after intensive talks over the weekend between Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes and Frankfurt’s Markus Krösche. Private phrases with Ekitike have already been agreed, with the 22-year-old anticipated to signal a six-year contract.
Apparently, Newcastle had tabled a assured provide of £70 million greater than Liverpool’s base payment however their proposal lacked the efficiency incentives that finally swung the deal within the Reds’ favour. This twist is more likely to frustrate Magpies supervisor Eddie Howe, particularly given how shut the Tyneside membership was to finishing the signing.
Switch skilled Fabrizio Romano beforehand reported by way of his official X account that Newcastle had been favourites to land Ekitike and that Liverpool had been solely more likely to enter the race in the event that they failed of their pursuit of Alexander Isak. In his phrases:
“Hugo Ekitike case stays open as Newcastle despatched official bid near €80m on Monday; Eintracht need extra. Liverpool can enter the race… provided that Newcastle shut the doorways to Alexander Isak exit.”
With Isak firmly off the market after Newcastle slapped a £150 million price ticket on the Swedish striker in response to a £120 million method from Liverpool, the Merseyside membership swiftly turned their consideration to Ekitike.
Ekitike is now anticipated within the UK on Tuesday, July 22, for a medical forward of linking up with Liverpool’s squad on their pre-season tour of Asia. He loved a stellar season at Frankfurt, scoring 22 targets throughout all competitions after a troublesome stint at Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool are reportedly open to promoting Darwin Nunez, who’s valued round £59 million and think about Ekitike as a extra appropriate long-term choice of their attacking rebuild.
