Hugo Ekitike has arrived in London to begin his medical ahead of a proposed move to Liverpool worth up to £79 million.
Liverpool agreed a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt on Monday worth an initial £69 million, rising to £79 million with various bonuses based on individual and team success.
It came after days of negotiations over a move for the France youth international, as the club bolster their attack in preparation for a number of exits.
Ekitike’s transfer was not completed in time to join the squad for their flight to Hong Kong, but the 23-year-old is due to join them in Asia later this week.
He will first undergo a medical, with Ekitike arriving in London on Tuesday morning to begin checks.
Provided he passes his medical – with no hiccups expected – he will then sign a six-year contract and become Liverpool’s seventh signing of the summer so far.
Reports in Germany have claimed Ekitike will earn £250,000 a week, but that is highly unlikely as that would make him one of the club’s highest-earning players.
Instead a salary of around half that is more believable, as that is the entry-level pay for a player of his age and profile – with examples including Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.
Ekitike will also pose for photos in last season’s kit and conduct an interview with in-house media before flying out to Hong Kong.
His imminent switch to Anfield should then be followed by the departure of Darwin Nunez, who has suitors in Saudi Arabia, while Luis Diaz has communicated his desire to leave after a bid from Bayern Munich.
Liverpool also lost Diogo Jota in tragic circumstances this summer, while Federico Chiesa‘s omission from the touring squad in Asia is expected to facilitate a transfer back to Italy.
Truly, Gakpo and Mohamed Salah can be considered the only untouchables currently in Arne Slot‘s attacking ranks, which highlights the need for reinforcements.
Ekitike will be the third-most expensive player in Liverpool’s history if all performance targets are met, behind only club-record signing Florian Wirtz (£116m) and previous holder Nunez (£85m).
That record could yet be broken again this summer, with interest remaining in Newcastle centre-forward Alexander Isak – seemingly separate to the move for Frankfurt’s No. 11.
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