Liverpool sign Hugo Ekitiké in £79m deal after fending off late Manchester United bid

Ekitiké was a longstanding target for Liverpool, despite their interest in Newcastle centre-forward Alexander Isak, and contact was first made with the 23-year-old’s representatives in January. Arne Slot then outlined his plans for the striker in a call at the end of last season.

Newcastle made a move for Ekitiké last week after missing out on Liam Delap and João Pedro but their £70m bid was rejected by Eintracht and the player made it clear his preference was to join Liverpool. United also received the same information when they made a last-minute attempt to hijack the deal. United’s director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, is believed to have contacted Eintracht’s sporting director Markus Krosche over a possible transfer but Ekitiké was already set on Anfield.

Ekitiké scored 22 goals and made 12 assists in his one full season at Frankfurt, helping the club qualify for the Champions League, and while primarily a No 9 Liverpool believe he can also operate as a second striker or out wide. He is potentially the third most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history behind Florian Wirtz and Darwin Núñez. Anfield officials are confident he can become one of the finest forwards in the game should his recent progress with Eintracht be maintained.

The deal for Ekitiké, which is subject to international clearance, takes Liverpool’s summer spending to almost £300m. The former Paris Saint-Germain player is the club’s seventh signing of the window, following on from Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and a trio of goalkeepers: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman.