Liverpool closing in on Hugo Ekitike transfer

Liverpool are now one step closer to completing a deal for Hugo Ekitike.

The Reds have already completed the signing of five players this summer. Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi are all set to arrive at pre-season training on Tuesday.

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Richard Hughes and the club's recruitment team's work will not end there. After the departure of Jarell Quansah, Liverpool will like to bolster their centre-back department.

At this moment in time, the most likely arrival in that position appears to be Marc Guehi.

Liverpool are still in negotiations with Crystal Palace over signing the England international and he could very well be the club's sixth new signing of the summer.

Beyond, Guehi another likely arrival remains Hugo Ekitike.

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Liverpool have wanted to sign the Frenchman for several months now. Anfield Watch exclusively revealed that the club opened talks with Ekitike's representatives back in April.

The Reds' scouts have been tracking Ekitike since he broke onto the scene at Reims, and he is very well regarded among the club's scouting department.

As an attacker he is someone who generates a high volume of chances, he can find space inside the box and he will strike a large volume of efforts on goal.

More importantly, Ekitike is fast, and he links-up play really well. He can also drift wide and play on the left-wing and fits into what Arne Slot's philosophy is when it comes to forwards in the sense that he is both a creator and a goalscorer.

Liverpool have been focusing on the completion of the Kerkez and Wirtz deals before moving to sign Ekitike. But it is expected that they will pursue a move for the Frenchman, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

Now Liverpool might have moved a step closer to getting the deal over the line after Eintracht Frankfurt confirmed their latest move in the market.

Frankfurt have announced the arrival of Jonathan Burkardt from Mainz. Burkardt is a forward and he's seen as Ekitike's replacement.

The fact that the German side have bolstered their ranks in attack, suggests that they will be more open to allowing Ekitike to leave for pastures new when an approach is made.

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Without Burkardt, they might have thought twice about selling Ekitike but now the door is wide open for the Frenchman to leave, and Liverpool will be at the front of the queue for his services.