Liverpool Still in the Race to Sign £84m Forward after ‘Deal Collapsed'

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a day ago

Hugo Ekitike Deal Collapse Opens Door for Liverpool Move
Liverpool supporters will be watching closely after Hugo Ekitike's proposed move to Chelsea collapsed, as confirmed by Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany. With Chelsea's Club World Cup transfer deadline expiring without a deal in place, Liverpool suddenly find themselves with renewed opportunity in the race for the Eintracht Frankfurt striker.
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Plettenberg reported:
'A Club World Cup deal for Hugo #Ekitike to Chelsea FC has collapsed. There is still no full agreement and no official offer to Eintracht Frankfurt.'
Crucially, this gives Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, an unexpected window of time to explore a potential bid. While Chelsea remain in talks, they no longer have exclusivity, and Liverpool can now approach with greater confidence and flexibility.
Timing Could Work in Liverpool's Favour
As it stands, Liverpool have been managing negotiations on multiple fronts, including promising discussions with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz and Bournemouth for Milos Kerkez. With Ekitike back on the table, there is room to reassess the forward line's long-term structure—particularly in light of Darwin Nunez's uncertain future at the club.
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Gregg Evans of The Athletic has previously stated that Liverpool are open to offers for the Uruguayan striker, whose output in the 2024–25 season failed to justify his position.
The implication is clear: should the Reds offload Nunez, part of the proceeds could be redirected towards Ekitike, whose reported €100m [£84.6m] price tag, set by Frankfurt, is ambitious but potentially negotiable.
Photo: IMAGO
Ekitike Versus Jota and Nunez
While Diogo Jota outperformed Ekitike in terms of pure goalscoring efficiency in 2023–24—scoring once every 114.06 minutes—what makes the Frenchman intriguing is his versatility and raw dribbling ability. As Plettenberg noted, Ekitike's qualities go beyond the stat sheet.
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Top-flight 2024–25 metrics illustrate the contrast clearly:
Player
Progressive carries/90
Successful dribbles
Take-ons/90
Hugo Ekitike
3.04
1.6 (46%)
1.9
Darwin Nunez
1.97
1.3 (44.1%)
0.68
Diogo Jota
2.45
0.4 (35.5%)
0.69
Ekitike's numbers highlight a player more confident in carrying the ball and breaking lines—an attribute that could complement Liverpool's high-pressing, transition-based system under Arne Slot. That said, he's still a work-in-progress, especially given his significant xG underperformance last season (–6.67).
What This Means for Liverpool's Summer
If Liverpool are serious about retaining their Premier League title under Slot's leadership, bolstering attacking depth with a player like Ekitike may prove essential. The 22-year-old's age profile and dribbling metrics suggest a project player, but one who could thrive in the right environment.
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With Jota facing doubts over his long-term fitness and Nunez on the chopping block, adding Ekitike could mark a smart evolution in attack. He offers a fresh dynamic—less a traditional target man and more a line-breaking, mobile forward with growth potential.
Photo: IMAGO
Credit must go to Florian Plettenberg for breaking the news. His update could prove pivotal in shaping Liverpool's next strategic move.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
For Liverpool fans, Hugo Ekitike isn't just a name on a shortlist—he's a symbol of the kind of recruitment that shows vision and long-term planning. After watching Darwin Nunez blow hot and cold, many supporters are craving someone with a different profile. Ekitike's pace, dribbling and ability to create chaos in defensive lines would offer something new to our front three.
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Of course, his underwhelming Bundesliga goal tally is a concern. But so was Cody Gakpo's form at PSV before he exploded in a red shirt. With Arne Slot's system thriving on mobility and intelligent pressing, Ekitike could become another masterstroke if the deal is structured smartly.
One thing is clear: fans won't accept standing still this summer. With Manchester City expected to bounce back and Chelsea throwing money around again, staying ahead means evolving. Ekitike might not be a proven Premier League scorer yet, but he's a player with a high ceiling—and those are the kinds Liverpool have built their success on.