When signing a player, Liverpool always rely on data, and in the case of Hugo Ekitike, the overall statistics are impressive.
The striker has made a brilliant start to the 2021-2022 season for France's Reims, where he joined the academy in 2013. After scoring 11 goals in 26 games for his childhood club, Ekitike moved to Paris St Germain for €35 million. Ekitike initially joined on loan in 2022 before the transfer was permanently implemented a year later.
During his time in Paris, the striker had the opportunity to learn from top stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. However, due to limited playing time after new manager Luis Enrique arrived in the summer of 2023, he moved to Frankfurt in February of the following year. Ekitike once again joined on loan before signing an official contract in 2024.
This move has proven a resounding success, and last season was an excellent campaign for Ekitike. The young French star scored 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 matches for the Bundesliga team.
At 1m90 tall, the Frenchman has an impressive physique and can play in many different positions in attack. At Frankfurt, he shined as a striker with Omar Marmoush, before he moved to Manchester City for £59 million in January.
During the Egyptian's absence, Ekitike has proven to be good at the striker position, with the support of names like Fares Chaibi and Mario Gotze behind. Therefore, Liverpool hopes he will be able to create a similar combination at Anfield with Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz.
Ekitike, considered in many aspects, is a typical modern model No. 9, but there are still many things to improve. For example, the French striker missed 15 goals compared to the expected goals (xG) of 21.6 in the Bundesliga last season, launching 117 shots - more than any other player in the tournament. If he can continue to improve his finishing ability at Anfield, he will be a formidable threat to Premier League defenders.
In terms of style, Ekitike is similar to Alexander Isak, another Liverpool target. Both are tall, agile and have great technique. However, Ekitike is inspired by former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, whom he hopes to successfully follow in the years to come.
Ekitike is a goose dribbler and likes to set up teammates, as a scout from a top European club told ESPN: "He likes to set up people and also like to set up him."
The striker has not yet had a chance to play for the French national team, but has played five times for the U21 team. An excellent season at Liverpool could see him included in coach Didier Deschamps' squad for the 2026 World Cup.
There were initial concerns about whether Ekitike was ready for such a big change, compared to his move to PSG three years ago. But with Ekitike having learned from that experience and developed remarkably in the past few seasons, now everyone believes that it is time for him to step into the light.
Talks continued last weekend, but Ekitike was left out of the Frankfurt squad for the friendly against FSV Frankfurt on Saturday. Everything seems to have been decided.
"This is a bitter loss. We have lost our best player of the winter, Omar Marmoush. Another player has come on and developed spectacularly. It is very likely that has also become history," said coach Dino Toppmoller.
But the loss of Frankfurt is Liverpool's benefit, as the player will now sign a 6-year contract at Anfield. The striker is expected to complete a medical check-up in England on Tuesday before flying to Hong Kong (China) to join Slot's team this weekend. Ekitike will have the opportunity to integrate with new teammates before the 2025-2026 season.
