‘We’re talking £150m for Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool are not short of cash’
Hugo Ekitike’s value could rise to £150million in the next few years if he performs well at Liverpool.
The 23-year-old is expected to complete a switch to Anfield in the coming days, after Frankfurt accepted a £69m bid from the Reds, which could rise to £78m with add-ons.
Newcastle looked set to sign Ekitike just last week, but Arne Slot’s side swooped in at the last moment after giving the Magpies an ultimatum.
Liverpool told the Tyneside club that they would hijack their deal for the Frenchman if they did not agree to sell Alexander Isak, and stuck to their word when they were told that the Swede was not for sale.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Ekitike’s value could rocket over the next few seasons, if he hits the ground running on Merseyside.
‘Ekitike can reach Isak levels’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that if Ekitike turns out to be the quality of player that Liverpool think he is, then he could be worth as much as Isak.
Last season, the Frankfurt striker impressed in the Bundesliga, scoring 15 goals as well as picking up eight assists.
Wyness added that it was a “big risk” to sign Ekitike at such a high price but that Arne Slot’s judgment has been proven right in the past.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think he’s unproven to a great degree and I think it’s a risk. Now, that risk is lessened by the quality of players that are going to be around him in the Liverpool squad, so obviously you have a great chance.
“You look at Luis Diaz who came to Liverpool. Everybody thought basically he was the same as Ekitike. He was a talented goal scorer, but it hasn’t worked out. There is a risk with Ekitike that it may not work out.
“Now, confidence, as we all know, is key for strikers and if he gets a good start, he may go on to be a revelation. But we’ve also seen Luis Diaz and those missed opportunities.
“So it’s a risk and it’s £79m. That’s a big risk, but obviously Arne Slot and the guys behind Liverpool’s data have been proven correct more times than not, so I bow to their thoughts on this, and they’ve obviously decided to pay it.
“They’re also not short of cash just now, Liverpool, and Ekitike is the right age to build for the future. If he does go on and score the goals, then we’re talking a value of £100m – £150m, no doubt about it. It’s sort of Isak territory if he does turn out to be the quality that they think he is.”
Real Madrid to submit Konate offer
Meanwhile, Real Madrid could make an attempt to sign Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate for as little as £25million during the summer transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Xabi Alonso’s side are long-term admirers of the centre-back, who has just one year remaining on his contract, and are prepared to test the Reds’ resolve.
However, Football Insider revealed Liverpool will demand £40million to sell Konate this summer as they are reluctant to see him leave either this summer or next.
Instead, Madrid are believed to be lining up a deal to bring the France international to the Bernabeu on a free transfer in 2026 as they did with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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