Liverpool are seemingly working hard behind the scenes to complete a deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

The Reds have been biding their time as they wait for the right centre-forward to add to the team this summer.

Alexander Isak appears to have been Liverpool‘s number one choice.



However, with Newcastle United standing firm that Isak would not be sold, the Reds have moved on to Ekitike.

Liverpool get dream Hugo Ekitike transfer scenario after Eintracht Frankfurt decision	Eintracht Frankfurt pulls out of transfer after reaching Hugo Ekitike agreement with Liverpool	Eintracht Frankfurt admit ‘huge loss’ after Liverpool submit £78 million Hugo Ekitike offer

Reports from Thursday suggested that Liverpool want to move quickly on Ekitike and could even have a deal done and dusted by the weekend.

Further to that came claims from German outlet Sportbild via the Liverpool ECHO to suggest that Ekitike had handed in a transfer request at Eintracht.

With all of that going on, it has been revealed whether the 23-year-old turned up for training on Friday.

Photo by Ben Gal/BSR Agency/Getty Images

By the speed in which updates arrived on Liverpool’s push for Ekitike on Thursday, fans could be forgiven for thinking the move was a done deal.

However, it should be noted that the Reds are not in agreement with Eintracht over the sale.

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With the Bundesliga side valuing Ekitike at over £70m, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool are willing to go all the way.

READ MORE: Liverpool fans told Hugo Ekitike has a ‘crucial’ hidden attribute which Arne Slot will love

In the meantime, it seems to be business as usual in Frankfurt, with BILD Frankfurt reporting that Ekitike did appear for training on Friday.

“Eintracht training has started” they posted at around 10am.

“Hugo Ekitike is participating despite the impending transfer to Liverpool.”

The reason Liverpool had seemingly wanted to move quickly for Ekitike was to get him wrapped up and ready to play in the upcoming tour to the Far East.

Liverpool have matches scheduled in Hong Kong and Japan over the next two weeks and are flying out on Sunday.

If Ekitike could be signed before the outbound flight, that would be good news for everyone.

However, based on the fact the France U21 star is still in training with his club on Friday morning, it seems very unlikely that will be possible.

Transfers can occasionally move incredibly quickly and things can even be sorted within hours at times.

But, on this one, it seems Ekitike will not be a Liverpool player before they head off from John Lennon Airport this weekend.
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