Liverpool Transfer News: £76m Ex-Teammate of Hugo Ekitike Wanted and Mo Salah Successor Picked

Liverpool FC are making waves in the transfer market with bold moves targeting a high-profile striker and planning for the future beyond Mo Salah. The Reds have reportedly agreed a staggering £79 million deal for Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, a 23-year-old French forward who has already proven his worth in the Bundesliga[1][2][3].

The agreement includes an initial £69 million fee plus £10 million in add-ons, with Ekitike set to sign a six-year contract after passing a medical. Despite interest from Newcastle United (whose £64.5m bid was rejected) and Manchester United, Ekitike's preference for Anfield prevailed. He spoke directly with manager Arne Slot about his role as the No. 9 striker. Ekitike, who joined Frankfurt from PSG in February 2024 (with PSG entitled to 20% of the fee, around £13.8m), scored 15 goals in 33 Bundesliga games last season. He eyes a France national team call-up ahead of the 2026 World Cup, boosted by Premier League exposure[1].

Since arriving, Ekitike has hit the ground running, netting two goals and an assist in his first four Premier League games, plus a goal in the Community Shield debut against Crystal Palace. He credits Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté—a fellow Frenchman—as his "most important" teammate for easing the transition. "Ibou knows everything here... he helped me a lot off and on the pitch," Ekitike told Stan Sport Football. Konaté, in the final year of his contract amid Real Madrid interest, remains vital to the squad[3].

Adding intrigue, the article hints at Liverpool eyeing a £76m ex-teammate of Ekitike, potentially from his PSG or Frankfurt days, though details remain speculative. Meanwhile, a successor to aging star Mo Salah has been "picked," signaling strategic squad planning under Slot amid ongoing transfer activity, including links to Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz[2].

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