Liverpool Face 'Real Question' Over Potential £84m Hugo Ekitike Pursuit
The 22-year-old striker has been linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks.
Liverpool Must Proceed With Caution in Potential Hugo Ekitike Pursuit
Liverpool’s summer business is well underway under Arne Slot, and the rumours linking the club to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike have sparked huge curiosity. A player of immense natural talent, Ekitike is rightfully seen as one of the best young forwards in world football. Still only 22, his technical quality, physical profile and eye for goal make him an enticing option for any elite club.
But despite his appeal, there is a real question here. With Darwin Nunez expected to leave Anfield this summer, the need for a reliable, ready-made goalscorer is more urgent than ever. Liverpool cannot afford another gamble in the striker position, not at a time when the club is investing heavily and aiming to challenge both domestically and in Europe. For all of Ekitike’s potential, the £84million fee being quoted by Frankfurt comes with considerable risk—and that should not be ignored.
Ekitike’s Potential is World-Class
To be clear, this isn’t a critique of Hugo Ekitike’s ability. Quite the opposite. His performances in the Bundesliga last season were exceptional. A mix of raw pace, intelligent movement and clinical finishing helped him become one of the standout players in Germany. He scored 15 goals and contributed to Frankfurt’s European qualification push, all while showing significant growth in his all-round game.
There’s no question Ekitike has the ingredients to become a world-class striker. His talent is obvious and he plays with a flair and confidence that sets him apart. He’s already being courted by top clubs, and reports suggest he’s holding off on a move to Chelsea in the hope that Liverpool make a firm approach. That in itself is a compliment to what Arne Slot is building.
But talent alone isn’t the issue here. The issue is timing—and price.
Darwin Nunez Comparison Offers a Warning
Liverpool fans have seen this film before. When Darwin Nunez arrived from Benfica in 2022, the fanbase was just as excited. A physical phenomenon with a scoring record in Portugal, Nunez was meant to be the long-term solution up front. Instead, his Anfield career has been turbulent. His five-goal Premier League season last year showed flashes of brilliance but far too often lacked consistency. Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, his departure is all but guaranteed.
That experience with Nunez has to inform Liverpool’s next move. While Nunez had potential, what the club ultimately needed, and still needs, is reliability. A clinical striker who thrives in big moments, takes high-value chances, and provides a focal point. That’s where the potential deal for Ekitike becomes a dilemma. Are Liverpool swapping one raw, high-potential striker for another, and expecting a different outcome?
Florian Wirtz Needs a Killer Ahead of Him
Florian Wirtz’s imminent arrival from Bayer Leverkusen represents a major statement of intent. Set to become the club’s record signing, Wirtz is the type of player that can transform Liverpool’s attacking identity. Creative, technical, and intelligent between the lines, Wirtz will flourish when given runners to feed and movement to exploit.
But to unleash his game to a whole new level, Liverpool need a ruthless finisher in the number nine role. Someone who converts chances at a high rate, times their runs to perfection, and makes the most of the spaces that Wirtz creates. It’s hard to see how a developing striker like Ekitike, for all his ability, fits that mould right now.
At this stage in Liverpool’s evolution, with the likes of Wirtz, Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez joining an already elite core, every addition must contribute from day one. Slot isn’t just building for the future, he’s defending a Premier League title in his second season and heading into the Champions League with expectations to match.
Risk and Reward at £84million
There’s no escaping the financial side of this. Eintracht Frankfurt are holding firm at £84million. For a 22-year-old with just one standout season in a top five league, that’s a substantial outlay. Especially when Liverpool have been careful in the past with valuation-based decisions, walking away from deals when prices didn’t align with performance data or risk profiles.
This is not a squad that needs another long-term project. If Ekitike were available for £40–50million, it would be a different conversation. But at this price, Liverpool are effectively betting that he will make the leap instantly, succeed in a more physical and tactical league, and take the pressure of leading the line without a bedding-in period.
It’s worth remembering that Ekitike didn’t make it at PSG and had to reassert himself in Germany. His development is back on track, but that doesn’t guarantee he’s ready to shoulder the burden of Liverpool’s attack in a must-win season.
Is There a Better Route?
The striker market is tricky, no question. But if Liverpool are serious about replacing Darwin Nunez with a more clinical operator, they may need to widen the search. Proven Premier League forwards, those with a scoring pedigree and fewer adaptation risks, may offer better value.
Alternatively, negotiating Frankfurt down or exploring structured deals with performance-related bonuses could help reduce the risk but Chelsea and Manchester United’s interest could take that aspect out of Liverpool’s hands. What Liverpool must avoid is paying top dollar for potential again, and ending up in a repeat scenario.
Final Thoughts
Hugo Ekitike is a brilliant young striker. His talent is unquestioned, and his ceiling is sky-high. In the right environment, with the right patience, he could become a global star. But Liverpool, at this moment, are not in a place to take that gamble.
The club needs a sure thing. A goal-scorer ready to take the weight of expectation and thrive. Especially with Florian Wirtz about to transform the way Liverpool attack, having a reliable number nine isn’t really optional—it’s essential.
Ekitike may well go on to prove critics wrong, just as Darwin Nunez still might elsewhere. But if the price remains £84million, Liverpool must think twice. The next striker signing has to hit the ground running, because this Liverpool side deserve it.