Hugo Ekitike is a man in demand after a stunning season in front of goal for Eintracht Frankfurt, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all linked with a move for the striker
Liverpool are reportedly interested in Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, who comes with a hefty £84million price tag. But according to a Champions League icon, the striker is worth it, as he's mix between Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
The young forward has become the talk of the Premier League, stirring interest from not only Liverpool but also London heavyweights Chelsea and Arsenal. Enzo Maresca's Blues, fresh from their UEFA Conference League victory on Wednesday, are tipped as frontrunners for Ekitike's services, with Frankfurt holding firm for an £84m fee.
The 22-year-old has impressed fans this season, bagging 22 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions. Frankfurt's recent clinching of Champions League football, after triumphing 3-1 over SC Freiburg in their final Bundesliga match, might add to his current club's allure of keeping him around.
However, Liverpool's impressive track record, including their latest Premier League crown and strong European performances, may sway Ekitike towards Anfield if they meet Frankfurt's asking price. Former Real Madrid and Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder couldn't hide his admiration for the young striker's Europa League exploits with Frankfurt this season.
After beating Ajax 2-1 in the competition, Sneijder drew parallels between Ekitike and some of the most dazzling talents in football. He said: "I might say something really crazy, but I'll say it anyway: I think he's a mix between Neymar and Mbappé. I sincerely think so.
"He has the grace of Neymar, but also the movements of Mbappé. To suddenly accelerate, that's something that Mbappé also has. And he's only 22 years old. There's really a lot of potential in this boy."
With Liverpool firmly securing their spot in the Champions League, speculation is rife about whether Ekitike will spearhead their attack at Anfield, though the Frankfurt forward's future remains unclear.
After Frankfurt's European qualification was confirmed, Ekitike teased fans with an cryptic post on Instagram. He said: "Yea you can write that in the books. We go to Champions League."
Whether he will be part of Frankfurt's campaign in the prestigious tournament remains to be seen. The 2025/26 season will be only the third occasion the German club have graced the Champions League.
Their history in the competition dates back to a 1960 final defeat to Real Madrid at Hampden Park, and a more recent last-16 exit at the hands of Napoli in the 2022/23 season, where they were put out on a 5-0 aggregate score.
Ekitike's Instagram post doesn't shed any light on his plans for the upcoming year, though Liverpool supporters will be hoping that the prospect of trophies and triumph at Anfield would be enough to persuade any player to make the move to England this summer.