Hugo Ekitike is reassured about his role in Liverpool, in which the club believes that the French attacker has the potential to follow the footsteps of Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe
Arne Slot has told Hugo Ekitike where he fits in Liverpool, regardless of the potential relocation from Alexander Isak to Anfield. The Reds continued their summer spending by signing Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal that could rise to £ 79 million.
Although he is not yet covered by France at senior level, Ekitike checks all the subjects of what the champions want from a young striker. The club's analysts have seen enough to suggest that they have a future Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe, reports the athletics, with the transfer value of the 23-year-old who is expected to be balloon.
Liverpool has separated with a first £ 69 million for Ekitike, but that compensation can be overshadowed if they manage to get hold of Isak. The Swedish striker has told Newcastle that he wants to explore the club's step. The Reds are at the front in the row for Isak, which will not be part of the pre-season tour from Newcastle to Asia.
According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool may have to pay around £ 150 million to put him away from the Magpies and would sell it to finance such a deal. If Isak does arrive, it is fair to assume that he would play through the middle like a nine nine.
That would question the role of Ekitike in the team, with the Frenchman possibly moving to a different role in a different role. In a meaningful phone call with Ekitike prior to his arrival, however, Slot outlined where he sees him fit in his side.
And that is like a number nine with the possibility to drop deeper and to link when needed. That is why, when Isak arrives, Ekitike might have to settle for a bit party role in the first instance.
Given the fixture of the Reds both in the interior and in European competition, he could still get enough playing time before he exerts pressure on Isak to become the first selection center striker of the club. It would be a headache of the right species for lock.
In the meantime, while the Isak Transfer Saga continues, Ekitike has joined his new teammates in Hong Kong. The final six -year contract were announced on Wednesday evening, by that time he was already in a plane to the Far East.
He arrived on time to view the open training of the team at the Kai Tak Stadium for a crowd of 27,000. It is unclear whether Ekitike will be involved in the first match of the Liverpool tour against AC Milan on Saturday.
He joins Florian Wirtz, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in a first £ 100 million deal that could rise to £ 116 million. Jeremie Frimpong also joined the German club in a £ 29.5 million switch, while Milos Kerkez Bournemouth left for £ 40 million.