Liverpool close in on Ekitike in £70m-plus deal

Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth more than £70m.

 

Multiple sources have indicated that Liverpool aim to have the transfer wrapped up by this weekend.

 

Newcastle have had a £70m offer for Ekitike rejected by Frankfurt, with Liverpool’s offer expected to surpass it.

 

Ekitike is open to joining the Premier League champions, who want to sign a central striker.

The 23-year-old scored 15 goals in 31 starts as Frankfurt finished third in the Bundesliga last term.

 

However, Ekitike is a provider as well as a scorer, with his eight assists ranking him within the top 6% among forwards for creating chances in Germany last season.

 

Ekitike registered 117 shots on goal in the Bundesliga last term – more than any other player.

 

His expected goals figure of 21.6 was the league’s second highest.