Liverpool agree deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool have struck a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt worth up to £79million for striker Hugo Ekitike, the PA news agency understands.

The talented 23-year-old scored 22 goals in all competitions for the Bundesliga club after last summer making his loan move from Paris St Germain permanent.

Newcastle and Manchester United have been among the interested parties but Premier League champions Liverpool look set to sign Ekitike.

The PA news agency understands the Reds have agreed to pay a guaranteed £69m to sign the France Under-21 international, with a further £10m possible in add-ons.

The player has been given permission to travel to Merseyside to complete the deal.

Ekitike is set to arrive on Tuesday for his medical and to complete what is expected to be a deal until 2031.

PA understands the hope is for Ekitike to then join Liverpool on their pre-season tour in Asia.

Impending arrival Ekitike recently expressed a desire to join Liverpool, leading Newcastle to withdraw from the race having offered a reported £70m.

Liverpool had been weighing up a big-money move for Magpies striker Alexander Isak before stepping up their move for the Frankfurt player.

The German club will receive £69m and the £10m add-ons are related to club success and player contributions, similar to the make up of the deal for Florian Wirtz.

The Germany international arrived from Bayer Leverkusen a month ago for a club-record £100m, which could increase to a British record £116m if certain clauses are achieved.

Arne Slot’s champions have also signed right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen for £29.5m and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez for £40m.

Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Liverpool after agreeing a deal with Valencia last August, along with fellow goalkeepers Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman.