Hugo Ekitike wants Liverpool! Eintracht Frankfurt reject first bid and ask for more money from Reds, says Fabrizio Romano

Noted football journalist Fabrizio Romano said that English champions Liverpool officially contacted Eintracht Frankfurt for striker Hugo Ekitike, placing the first bid. However, the offer was immediately rejected by the Bundesliga side demanding more, Romano said on Friday. Former PSG star Ekitike, 22, has impressed gaffer Arne Slot as well as Liverpool's chief executive of football Michael Edwards, English media had earlier said.

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"Liverpool have submitted official bid to Eintracht for Hugo Ekitike! Eintracht already informed Liverpool that they want more, proposal rejected but it was initial contact as talks continue. Ekitike said yes to Liverpool, no issues on personal terms. He wants LFC," Fabrizio Romano said in a report.

 

A known factory of world-class strikers, Frankfurt had recently sold Omar Marmoush for €75 million to Manchester City and Randal Kolo Muani for €95 million to PSG. It needs to be seen how much sum the Premier League champions will shell out to rope in Ekitike. Across all competitions, Ekitike played 48 times for the Frankfurt team that finished third in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. He scored 22 times and assisted eight, enjoying a tremendously successful season for the Dino Toppmöller-coached side.

 

Liverpool, meanwhile, is also after Newcastle United's Alexander Isak. The Swede is not officially listed on the players available for transfer but the champions are willing to try their luck with a reported €130 million bid. Newcastle United was also interested in Ekitike but backed out after it was confirmed that the former PSG striker is interested in a move to Merseyside. If Isak arrives, Slot may develop Ekitike as a winger -- predominantly to operate on the left. Some reports had said that the youngster was expected to play second-fiddle to Rodrygo -- who is being lured to make a move to England from Real Madrid. However, if either of Isak's or Rodrygo's deals falls flat, Slot's plans for Ekitike may change, they had said.

 

Liverpool had made some big-money signings in Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong but still is in no mood to slow down, the advancing talks with Eintracht Frankfurt and Newcastle tell. The Reds could shell out a record sum this summer as the Premier League's big six continue squad rebuilding ahead of the 2025-26 season

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