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Liverpool supporters are awaiting finalisation of another big transfer in the early days of this week.

The Reds have been busy throughout the summer, and are set to continue that with the addition of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ekitike is on the verge of joining Liverpool after the Reds and Eintracht agreed on a fee that could reportedly reach up to £82m.

It is an enormous price to pay on a player who has, in essence, had only one objectively prolific season.

And while Liverpool fans are happy with Ekitike, not everyone is on the same page.



Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Ekitike bounced back brilliantly at Eintracht having been marginalised during his time with Paris Saint Germain.

But, speaking to ESPN FC on Sunday, France World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf says the spell in Paris has left him with doubts over whether Ekitike can step up to the Premier League.

“I’m happy for Hugo, for sure, I really hope he’s going to serve Liverpool in the best way and be good enough according to the price that’s been paid.

He’s been fantastic and tremendous last year, but Liverpool, Premier League, that’s a different story.”

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Sitting in the studio listening to Leboeuf, former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol felt the need to jump to Ekitike’s defence.

“That’s a little harsh Frank,” Nicol interjected.

Son Heung-min, [Erling] Haaland came from the Bundesliga, Bobby Firmino at Liverpool.”

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“The guy’s 23 years old, if, like [Darwin] Nunez, Ekitike doesn’t pan out, Liverpool are still going to get a big chunk of that money back.

That could be a worry.

As Liverpool fans saw all too well with Nunez, the weight of being the Reds’ main striker can be difficult to grapple with for a young player in a new country.

Nunez and Ekitike are very different players, but given the similarities in fees, age and the fact they both joined Liverpool from a ‘lesser’ league, the comparisons are bound to be made.

So, while we love the fact a Liverpool legend like Nicol is sticking up for Ekitike, we think Leboeuf is right that with this one, it is simply a case of ‘wait and see.’