Liverpool have finalised an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for French striker Hugo Ekitike in a transaction potentially worth £82 million including performance-related payments.
The 23-year-old forward has agreed personal terms on a six-year contract that will keep him at Anfield until summer 2031.
The deal structure involves an initial payment of approximately £69 million with additional clauses that could see the total package reach £82 million, matching Frankfurt's valuation.
Negotiations concluded this morning following intensive discussions over the past 48 hours, with the German club securing a fee that could exceed their record sale of Randal Kolo Muani to Paris Saint-Germain for £82 million in 2023.
Getty | Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Hugo Ekitike
The Premier League champions have already invested heavily this transfer window, securing Florian Wirtz for £116 million, Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5 million and Milos Kerkez for £40 million as Arne Slot strengthens his squad.
Newcastle United initially pursued Ekitike but saw their £70 million proposal rejected by Frankfurt earlier this week.
The Magpies subsequently withdrew from negotiations when Liverpool entered the race, with the French striker expressing a clear preference for moving to Merseyside.
Liverpool turned their attention to Ekitike after Newcastle refused to sell Alexander Isak, who had been identified as their primary striking target for the summer window.
Frankfurt initially sought close to £86.7 million for their star striker, who netted 22 goals across 48 matches last season whilst contributing 12 assists.
The German side protected their asset by leaving him out of Saturday's pre-season victory against FSV Frankfurt, with manager Dino Toppmoller acknowledging the potential departure would represent "a tough loss" following Omar Marmoush's winter move to Manchester City.
"He didn't play - everything else is easy enough to figure out," Toppmoller stated after the 3-2 friendly win.
Reports indicate Ekitike will not travel with Frankfurt to their United States training camp scheduled for Friday, with the player having already communicated his desire to join Liverpool.
The Frenchman is expected to travel to England to undergo medical examinations before the transfer is officially completed.
READ MORE: Jake Paul confirms Anthony Joshua fight to go ahead as Tyson Fury makes £1million bet
PA | Hugo Ekitike looks set to cost up to £82million
Ekitike's arrival will bolster Liverpool's attacking options as they prepare to defend their Premier League crown, having secured the title with a 10-point margin over Arsenal last season.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward's impressive Bundesliga campaign helped Frankfurt secure third place and Champions League qualification.
His signing continues Liverpool's aggressive recruitment strategy under Slot, with reports suggesting the Dutch manager may pursue additional defensive reinforcements following Jarell Quansah's departure to Bayer Leverkusen and uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konate's future amid interest from Real Madrid.
LATEST SPORT NEWS: