Liverpool may not be finished yet in the transfer market despite standing on the verge of a big-money deal to sign Hugo Ekitike.

The Reds are all set to bring Ekitike in as their new centre-forward after striking a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Initially, that had looked to end Liverpool‘s interest in signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.

Liverpool made an approach to Newcastle for Isak on Tuesday, but subsequently pivoted to Ekitike once it became clear that the Magpies would not sell.

For a day or two, that looked to be that. However, after Isak was left out of Newcastle’s pre-season friendly against Celtic on Saturday, questions have started to be raised that the saga may not be over.

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol certainly seems to think so, speculating on the reasons behind Eddie Howe leaving out his star striker.

Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images

Alexander Isak omission ‘makes no sense’

Isak was not the only Liverpool target who did not feature during his club’s scheduled game on Saturday. Ekitike was left out of Eintracht’s game against FSV Frankfurt as well.

Less than 24 hours on from that match, and the Frenchman is on his way to Liverpool.

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Clearly, Isak’s saga will not be settled quite so quickly. But according to Nicol, the Swede’s omission from the match with Celtic could spell danger for Newcastle.

“You would have to think that Eddie Howe knows every step of every second that’s going on with this situation, because it’s huge,” the Liverpool legend told ESPN FC. “It’s the most important thing going on at Newcastle Football Club.”

READ MORE: When Hugo Ekitike’s move to Liverpool will be completed after Eintracht Frankfurt agreement reached

“So, if Eddie Howe is confident that nothing’s going to happen and he’s not going anywhere, he has to be playing him, because he has to get him fit for the start of the season.

“It makes no sense that Alexander Isak doesn’t take part in this game,” Nicol adds.

“Maybe he’s been told that something’s going on and you can’t play him in case he gets injured, that’s what happens. If Isak plays against Celtic and gets injured, that’s £150m down the drain. So, there’s definitely something.”

Liverpool get ‘Here We Go’ on Ekitike

While the Isak situation rumbles on in the background, Liverpool are all but there with Ekitike.

As per journalist Fabrizio Romano on Sunday, a deal to bring the 23-year-old to Anfield has moved to the final stages of completion.

“Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool, here we go!” said the journalist, using his well-worn catchphrase.

“Deal in place for fee over €90m [£78m] for the French striker to join from Eintracht Frankfurt, potentially reaching €95m [£82m]. Six year deal for Ekitike, valid until June 2031; he only wanted Liverpool move. New striker for Slot.”

Will Isak be joining the former PSG man in a new-look front line? Only time will tell.

Hugo Ekitike is set to become a Liverpool player, in what is becoming a simply ludicrous transfer window for Arne Slot and his side.

The young Frenchman, who has drawn comparisons to Kylian Mbappe, is all but confirmed to be Liverpool-bound, with Fabrizio Romano dropping his infamous ‘here we go’ on the 23-year-old on Sunday morning.

Ekitike can’t wait to work with Slot and will bring an entirely different dynamic to the Reds’ attack.

They haven’t had an extremely prolific centre-forward since Luis Suarez, and Ekitike could be about to change everything once again at Anfield.

Hugo Ekitike has Luis Suarez-esque qualities

Liverpool are getting a forward who can be clinical in front of goal, but he’s also a real workhorse. He stands at six feet two inches, but alongside his physicality, he’s also agile.

These are all qualities that Uruguayan forward Suarez had during his time at Anfield: a relentless desire to win, for goals, but also a player who could open up a world of opportunities for his teammates.

Ekitike’s former youth coach Jean-Philippe, AKA ‘Nano’, spoke with GOAL in 2021 and explained some of the qualities he exuded as a young boy, which have continued into his playing career as an adult.

“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.

Photo by Elianton/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

“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.”

Remind you of anyone? Suarez was also a player with immense footballing intelligence, and was just as influential in setting up teammates as he was rampant in front of goal.

On Reims’ eventual interest, Nano adds: “They must have been fed up with Hugo scoring goals every time their teams came to play against us!”

Players like Messi have lauded Ekitike, and it’s no surprise – he really is one of the hottest commodities in football right now.

Ekitike living up to Suarez’s Liverpool legacy no easy task

All things considered, Ekitike has bags of potential, but to live up to Suarez’s legacy at Liverpool is a difficult task.

Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The now Inter Miami man was one of the most feared strikers, not just in the Premier League, but in the world – and that was reflected in a ludicrous record for the Reds.

Season Appearances Goals Assists 2010–11 13 4 3 2011–12 39 17 7 2012–13 44 30 13 2013–14 37 31 17 Total 133 82 40 Luis Suarez record for Liverpool.

What does Ekitike have on his side? An infinitely better side to come into. Not only are Liverpool reigning English champions with a squad of superstars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, they’ve also already splashed the cash on some ludicrous names such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.

Liverpool are looking scary, and Ekitike only adds to that fearsomeness. Huge statement of intent from Slot and co this summer.

(Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Liverpool have struck a full agreement to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth up to €95 million, as reported by Sport1 journalist Julius Schamburg on X.

The 23-year-old is expected to undergo his medical next week before flying out to join us on the club’s pre-season tour of Asia.

Schamburg confirmed the transfer as a “done deal” and noted how we were keen to finalise the terms before Frankfurt’s own departure for the United States.

It’s a move that signals clear intent from Arne Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy, with the Frenchman arriving after a prolific season in the Bundesliga.

Liverpool are keen to bed Ekitike into the squad quickly

Ekitike scored 22 goals and registered 12 assists in all competitions last term — numbers that will excite fans still waiting for our next proper No.9.

The deal is believed to be worth just under £81 million in today’s conversion, which would make him our second most expensive signing behind Florian Wirtz, though Sky Sports stated the full package can only rise to £79 million.

The pair will now link up in Asia, with both having played starring roles in Germany last season.

Player Club (2024/25) Goals Assists Games Hugo Ekitike Eintracht Frankfurt 22 12 48 Florian Wirtz Bayer Leverkusen 16 15 45

What next for Darwin Nunez?

This update follows strongly suggests that Darwin Nunez’s future is to be spent away from Merseyside.

The Uruguayan forward had been requested by Simone Inzaghi at Al Hilal, which may help us recoup some of the transfer fee spent on his services.

It remains to be seen whether the French forward will take the No.9 shirt immediately, but his arrival will add a fresh dynamic to an attack already packed with quality.

This marks another statement Bundesliga addition to a summer that has already seen us bring in Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and Jeremie Frimpong from the same club.

With the medical now imminent, it won’t be long before Reds fans see our new forward in action.

You can view the Ekitike update via @JuliusSchamburg on X:

🔴🚨💣 𝑬𝑿𝑪𝑳𝑼𝑺𝑰𝑽𝑬 | Hugo #Ekitiké to @LFC is a 𝑫𝑶𝑵𝑬 𝑫𝑬𝑨𝑳! ✅ Final and full agreement between @eintracht and Liverpool has been reached today.

The total package will be up to €95m. Ekitiké is expected to undergo his medical at #LFC next week. ❕The Reds were… pic.twitter.com/EuBKmnUF0s — Julius Schamburg (@JuliusSchamburg) July 20, 2025

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Liverpool are all set to complete a deal to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.

The Reds accelerated talks to bring Ekitike to Anfield after seeing Newcastle hold firm on their interest in Alexander Isak.

But although Liverpool’s story with Isak is not yet over, they have moved decisively to get another striker through the door.

Ekitike looks like a terrific option, with the 23-year-old coming off the back of a superb season with Eintracht.

However, Ekitike‘s price tag felt a little on the high side for a player with only one truly impressive campaign under his belt.

So, while there is excitement over Ekitike, there is also worry that he could be an expensive flop. Interestingly, though, French outlet L’Equipe have reported that the France U21 star may not be quite as costly as first feared.

Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Hugo Ekitike could cost Liverpool just £67m

All throughout the summer, Eintracht have stood firm on an £85m valuation on Ekitike. That always sounded like an awful lot to pay.

As per journalist Fabrizio Romano’s ‘Here We Go’ update on Sunday morning, Liverpool had agreed to pay a base fee of £78m, with a further £5m or so in add-ons.

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However, L’Equipe appear to refute this, claiming that Liverpool’s second ‘decisive’ bid was actually more like £67m.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher gave an interesting early verdict on Liverpool and Hugo Ekitike back in April

This is reportedly the initial fee, with there to be some unspecified bonuses added on top.

Ekitike is said to have agreed a contract with the Reds already, and is now awaiting permission to travel to Liverpool and complete his medical.

Insistence that Ekitike deal is not done yet

Although Romano has insisted that Ekitike to Liverpool is done – and has been completed at a high cost to the Reds – other journalists do not appear quite so certain.

Dominic King, for example, took to X to suggest that Romano may have jumped the gun a little.

“Hugo Etikite and Liverpool: it is going to get done and it’s a question of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ it will happen. But the deal isn’t done yet – there’s suggestions €90m has been agreed. It isn’t the case,” says King.

“Still talks continuing about the structure and definitive price.”

The Liverpool ECHO also suggest the green light is yet to be lit, although they do suggest a £78m ‘compromise’ is likely to be reached with Eintracht.

Just under a week ago, it had looked like Newcastle United were set to complete a significant coup in the transfer market as we moved in for Hugo Ekitike.

But since then, it’s been a series of tough lessons for Eddie Howe and the side, with Alexanderr Isak linked with an exit, Hugo Ekitike heading elsewhere and a move for James Trafford thrown into doubt.

Isak remains a constant source of speculation over whether or not he’ll still be at St James’ Park, particularly after Howe personally sent the star home from Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon, due to rumours and fitness reasons.

But one strong statement has emerged today from a North East reporter, who has moved to ease fears following the Swede’s absence yesterday.

Edwards: Isak is NOT for sale

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has issued a clear message on Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle United.

Writing on X, Edwards wrote: “I will repeat for the hard of hearing. Alexander Isak is not for sale this summer. Not to Liverpool. Not to Saudi Arabia. Not to anyone. No amount of fake news, fraudulent in the know chancers or selective quote using aggregator accounts will alter that stance from Newcastle.”

It comes as an emphatic criticism on the vast media speculation and guesswork surrounding Isak’s happiness on Tyneside, despite personally saying he’s more than content at the club in the past.

And Edwards’ words will no doubt resonate with large portions of our fanbase, who are growing tired of the repeated ‘Big Six’ links for our top stars.

Isak nerves settled as Ekitike fee agreed?

Over the course of the last week, the narrative became that if Liverpool couldn’t have Isak, they’d go for Hugo Ekitike instead.

But, thankfully for Newcastle, it looks like Arne Slot’s side have had to settle for their second choice option in attack, even if it’s seen us miss out as a result.

And it’s come at a staggering cost, with Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein each saying that the Reds will pay Eintracht Frankfurt €90m for the Frenchman in a whopping deal that could rise to €95m.

With the general expectation that Liverpool now can’t spend much more this summer, and Arsenal still in tense negotiations with Sporting Lisbon for Viktor Gyokeres, the two biggest ‘threats’ to Isak’s status as a Newcastle player look to be over for the time being.