Liverpool is in conversation to sign Eintracht Frankfurt -striker Hugo Ekitike after he has discovered that Newcastle is not willing to sell Alexander Isak to a Premier League -rival
Liverpool seems to close their new striker while they remain locked up in discussions with Eintracht Frankfurt about a deal to bring Hugo Ekitike to Anfield.
The Reds have already attacked the Bundesliga twice this summer to sign Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, the last one participating for a British record transfer costs of £ 116 million. And with Alexander Isak from Newcastle not for sale, Liverpool is now working on a blockbuster deal for Ekitike.
The 23-year-old would have already agreed personal conditions with a six-year-old deal.
And with conversations about transfer costs, Ekitike could soon be the latest large summer drawing of the Reds.
If Ekitike puts on paper in the coming weeks, the Frenchman will probably have to choose a brand new team number.
The striker attracts the No 11 -shirt in Frankfurt, who finished third in the Bundesliga last season. But that number is very unlikely that it is available for Ekitike, since it is currently being worn by Mohamed Salah.
However, he could be the natural choice to pick up the No 9 shirt with Darwin Nunez, which would be expected to continue in the coming weeks.
The Uruguay striker continues to be associated with a move and signing Ekitike in a deal with a big money would almost certainly indicate the end of Nunez 'time in Anfield, although Napoli – perhaps his most controversial freer – now effectively run away from a deal.
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Ekitike was also a target for Newcastle this summer after registering 22 goals and 12 assists last season. But the magpies do not agree with Frankfurt and have now transferred to other goals, giving Liverpool a clear run to sign the striker.
If the Reds can conclude an agreement with Frankfurt to sign Ekitike, the promising young frontman will be the newest top player left the club after Omar Marmoush in January.
Frankfurt sports director Markus Krosche has already admitted the future of Ekitike, away from the Bundesliga outfit.
“He is one of the most interesting strikers on the European market. Hugo has to decide that,” he told sport 1. “I am happy that we have him. If he decides otherwise, that is our motto: if a player develops faster than we, let him go.”