Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt continue their transfer talks this weekend as Arne Slot aims to get his new striker as soon as possible with the new Premier League season just weeks away.
The Dutch manager already has an incredible squad to work with for the season ahead but with Darwin Nunez on his way out this summer, the Reds need a replacement.
Although Frankfurt hope to receive €100m (£87m), Liverpool are hoping to pay €86m (£75m) but it remains to be seen how that pans out.
What is fully clear is that Ekitike is a thrilling player. He’s not a player you can get a full read on just by looking at this numbers – though they are impressive as he got 22 goals and 12 assists last season.
He’s actually very similar to Isak while arguably more creativer and selfless even if Isak’s ruthless streak is what makes him such an effective operator in front of goal.
Hugo Ekitike is “a great signing” but can he make the grade in England and adapt to Liverpool’s high pressing system?
Former West Ham United coach Edu Rubio believes the French forward has limitations which he shared with BBC Sport.
Rubio says Ekitike will be a “great signing” for Liverpool but there are doubts over whether he can translate his Bundesliga form to the Premier League while he is also yet to play in a team as high pressing as Liverpool’s.
“He can be a great signing for Liverpool FC. He can play on his own at the front or in a front two. He can also drift to the wing. He is versatile and comes from 18 excellent months at Frankfurt,” he said.
“Ekitike excels in quick attacking transitions with his forward runs and his accuracy in dribbling with the ball at his feet. He can also do well in tight areas when his team is playing against a low block. His height will also come in handy for set pieces.
“There is, though, a question mark around whether Ekitike will manage to up his goals and assists and find consistent high figures in this department; as well as if he can deploy an aggressive high-press style since he has not been exposed to that at Frankfurt.
“However, he is a very exciting young French talent with huge potential to do very well in the Premier League. I am sure Arne Slot will also like his link-up play and ability to drop to help build the attack phase, as this is an area Liverpool introduced last year.
“So all in all, a good signing for the Reds.”
