The €100m Hugo Ekitike TWIST that no one saw coming

Liverpool have got Hugo Ekitike firmly in their sights ahead of the summer transfer window.

With Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota both surplus to requirements should the right bids materialise, the French striker could be the next Reds’ No9 if everything goes to plan.

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22-year-old Ekitike has been in sensational form this season for his club, Eintracht Frankfurt, establishing himself as one of the most in-demand forwards in Europe.

He’s got 14 Bundesliga goals and five assists so far this term, propelling Dino Toppmuller’s side into the Champions League reckoning.

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Ekitike has also been a star in Frankfurt’s Europa League campaign thus far. Under contract until 2029, it has previously been reported that Frankfurt are confident of gaining as much as €100 MILLION for Ekitike in the transfer market this summer.

Frankfurt want to KEEP Ekitike

That kind of fee would beat Frankfurt’s transfer record, placing Ekitike ahead of Randal Kolo Muani, Omar Marmoush, Sebastian Haller and others in the all-time list.

But there could be a sting in the tail for Liverpool and all other interested clubs.

It’s been suggested that Frankfurt could DENY Ekitike his dream move to the Premier League this summer and retain him for another season at least.

The German side will be under no significant pressure to sell if they make it to the Champions League, meaning Ekitike and his fellow Hugo, midfielder Larsson, end up staying at the Waldstadion.

That’s according to TBR Football, which claims Frankfurt decision-makers are keen on retaining their star forward.

Liverpool could be forced to move on

“Frankfurt reportedly believe Ekitike is now worth £87 million (€100m) and the German club are quite keen to keep him for the next campaign,” a report states.

“The German club are in no major rush to sell with an expectation that they will be in the Champions League next term and having just sold Omar Marmoush to Manchester City for £59m.”

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Liverpool may well be forced to move on to other options in the event Frankfurt don’t sell. And even if they do, there remains the possibility of the Reds being priced out of a summer deal.