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Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike(Image: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Hugo Ekitike is on the brink of sending Liverpool's summer rebuild rocketing beyond the £250million mark - and will link up with his new team-mates in Asia once the formalities of his transfer have been completed.

The Reds have thrashed out a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for Ekitike that could eventually see them splash out £79m for the 23-year-old striker.

The Bundesliga side are guaranteed a fee of £69m with a further possible £10m in add-ons that will require success for both Liverpool and Etikite to be achieved.

With the deal agreed, the French forward has been given permission to travel from Germany to complete his transfer with the expectation he will arrive in the UK on Tuesday for a medical.

READ MORE:Darwin Nunez sends timely reminder as Liverpool consider transfer optionsREAD MORE:Liverpool confirm 29-man squad for Asia tour as Federico Chiesa absence explained

While a large party of players and officials are now in Hong Kong for the first leg of Liverpool's Far East tour, the club have kept a number of staff at home to complete the signing, including medical staff and sporting director Richard Hughes.

Ekitike has already agreed personal terms on a six-year contract that will tie him to the Reds until the summer of 2031.

Once the formalities have been completed, it is hoped the player will then fly out to join the Liverpool squad in Asia later in the week.

The Reds play AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday before moving on to Japan to play Yokohama F Marinos the following Wednesday.

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It is understood the add-ons are similar to those negotiated with Bayer Leverkusen as part of the club record £116m deal to sign Florian Wirtz last month.

While they are regarded difficult to achieve, the success required means Liverpool would have no qualms with the additional outlay.

Ekitike, who scored 22 goals in 48 games last season, has emerged as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe, having started his career at Reims and then spent 18 months at Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Frankfurt at the start of 2024.

Frankfurt rejected an offer of €80m (£69.4m) from Newcastle United last week with none of the add-ons agreed, and were seeking a package nearer €100m (£86.7m).

The Magpies then withdrew from the negotiating table once the player made clear his preference to join Liverpool, who have now successfully reached an agreement.

Ekitike's imminent arrival continues Liverpool's overhaul of their forward options this summer.

Darwin Nunez is increasingly expected to leave, Luis Diaz is a major target for Bayern Munich and Barcelona, the future of Federico Chiesa - who has missed the Asia trip with a minor issue - is uncertain, teenager Ben Doak is wanted by several clubs, and the Reds are also contending with the tragic death of Diogo Jota earlier this month.

The total package for Ekitike of £79m will send Liverpool's spending in this transfer window beyond the £250m mark as Arne Slot looks to update his squad ahead of their Premier League title defence.

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As well as the £116m for Wirtz, the Reds splashed out £29m to capture his Leverkusen team-mate and Holland international right-back Jeremie Frimpong.

Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez has signed for £40m from Bournemouth while 20-year-old goalkeeper Armin Pecsi cost £1.5m from Puskas Akademia.

Another keeper, Freddie Woodman, has joined on a free transfer while Georgia international shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili has arrived after Liverpool agreed a £29m deal with Valencia last year.


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