Ekitike Arrives at Anfield in Blockbuster Move
French Striker Joins Liverpool for Landmark Fee
Liverpool’s transfer window has taken a dramatic turn with the imminent arrival of French sensation Hugo Ekitike. The Merseyside club is reportedly finalizing a deal for the highly-rated striker, signaling a significant statement of intent under manager Arne Slot.
A Striker for the Future
The 23-year-old, whose talent has already drawn comparisons to global superstar **Kylian Mbappé**, is on the cusp of joining the Reds. Esteemed football insider **Fabrizio Romano** confirmed the impending transfer on Sunday morning, dropping his signature “here we go!” seal of approval.
🚨💣 BREAKING: Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool, here we go!
Deal in place for fee over €90m for the French striker to join from Eintracht Frankfurt, potentially reaching €95m.
Six year deal for Ekitike, valid until June 2031; he only wanted Liverpool move.
New striker for Slot 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/iRbjZGz4Ob
— Fabrizio Romano (@fabrizioromano) July 20, 2025
Ekitike himself is reportedly eager to collaborate with Slot, bringing a distinct attacking dimension to Liverpool’s lineup. The club has lacked a consistently prolific centre-forward since the days of Luis Suárez, and Ekitike could usher in a new era at Anfield.
Suárez Echoes in Ekitike’s Game
The young Frenchman is noted for his clinical finishing but also his remarkable work rate. Standing at six feet two inches, **Ekitike** combines physicality with agility, traits that fans will recall from **Suárez**’s electrifying tenure. **Suárez** was renowned for his unyielding desire to win, coupled with an ability to create scoring chances for his teammates.
In 2021, Ekitike‘s former youth coach, Jean-Philippe, also known as ‘Nano’, spoke to GOAL about the striker’s early promise. He highlighted Ekitike‘s goal-scoring prowess without ego.
“At Cormontreuil, he scored a lot of goals without ever getting carried away,” Nano explained. “For example, he would never be able to say how many goals he had scored in a tournament.”
—Jean-Philippe, Former Youth Coach
“He was a winner who didn’t show off, always listening to improve himself, but not to be the number one. In matches, if he could make a pass despite being in front of goal, he wouldn’t hesitate, because he knew that it was the most intelligent choice.”
—Jean-Philippe, Former Youth Coach
This footballing intelligence and unselfishness are reminiscent of Suárez, who was as effective in setting up others as he was in finding the back of the net. Ekitike’s burgeoning reputation is such that even global icons like Lionel Messi have publicly praised him.
A Legacy to Pursue
While **Ekitike** possesses immense potential, emulating **Luis Suárez**’s impact at Liverpool presents a considerable challenge. **Suárez**, during his time at the club, became one of the world’s most feared strikers, evidenced by his phenomenal statistics.
Ekitike arrives at a Liverpool side already brimming with talent and enjoying significant success. With recent acquisitions like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, Slot‘s squad is shaping up to be a formidable force. The signing of Ekitike further solidifies Liverpool’s ambition and strengthens their attacking arsenal considerably. In the 2023-24 season, Liverpool averaged 2.1 goals per Premier League game, ranking them among the top scoring teams in Europe (Premier League Official Statistics).
