Liverpool Willing to Bid £68m for “One of the Best STs Out There”, He’s a Jota Upgrade
Penny for the thoughts of those who doubted Arne Slot’s ability to lead Liverpool after taking over from Jurgen Klopp. The task seemed impossible to many, but Slot has defied expectations.
Rather than stumble, Liverpool have surged forward, claiming the Premier League title in Slot’s debut season. They finished the campaign ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City, leaving no doubts about their dominance.
Yet, not every member of the Liverpool squad has delivered on an individual level. Darwin Nunez stands out as the most obvious case, having scored just seven times in 47 league appearances. Remarkably, he has started only once in the Premier League since Boxing Day.
Nunez appears set for a departure this summer, with interest coming from both Spain and the Saudi Pro League. There is also speculation that FSG might look to sell Diogo Jota as well.
Liverpool have made it clear that signing a top-class number nine is a priority this summer.
While Jota is not as likely to leave as Nunez, he could still be on the move. His contract runs until June 2027, but there is no sign of a renewal, which could leave him seeking a new challenge in the months ahead.
Liverpool brought Jota in from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020 for a fee that could rise to £45 million. Since then, he has established himself as one of the game’s sharpest finishers, with Jamie Carragher even declaring last year that Jota is “the best finisher” Liverpool have had in the Premier League era, surpassing some iconic names.
This season, however, Jota has struggled in front of goal. According to Sofascore, his expected goals (xG) tally stands at 7.92, but he has scored only six times—an underwhelming return.
Injuries, a constant issue throughout his time at Anfield, appear to be catching up with the 28-year-old.
Saudi clubs are showing strong interest, and selling both players could be invaluable, as it would enable Liverpool to pursue their primary target for the centre-forward position.
Liverpool Ready Bid for Touted Striker
According to reports from Spain, Liverpool are preparing an official bid for Hugo Ekitike. However, they will need to act quickly, as the Eintracht Frankfurt forward is one of the most in-demand players this summer.
It is believed that FSG are willing to pay around €80m (approximately £68m) for the French attacker. However, they may not be prepared to match Eintracht Frankfurt’s reported €100m (£85m) asking price, which has been cited by German sources.
The challenge for Liverpool is that they are not the only club in the race. Chelsea, fresh off their Conference League triumph, are also pushing hard for Ekitike and are reportedly leading the chase, with Sky Sports suggesting they are putting in the most effort.
Liverpool’s hesitation is partly due to the club managing several other transfer deals at the same time. While their approach has been described as careful and considered, it is clear that quick action will be necessary if they want to secure Ekitike’s signature.
What Hugo Ekitike Would Bring to Liverpool
Here’s the rewritten article in a plagiarism-free format, with each paragraph separated and retained:
Hugo Ekitike, 22, departed Paris Saint-Germain with a reputation as a bright young talent seeking to make his mark in Germany. Eintracht Frankfurt has proven to be the ideal environment for his development, with experts like Ben Mattinson calling him “one of the best strikers out there.”
His initial spell at Eintracht Frankfurt during the 2023/24 season seemed underwhelming, but he found form at a crucial time, scoring four goals and providing an assist in the final five matches of the league campaign.
This season, Ekitike has elevated his game to another level. He has netted 22 goals and contributed 12 assists across 48 appearances in all competitions, sharpening his finishing and showcasing a versatile skill set that has likely caught the attention of Liverpool’s data team.
Ekitike’s availability has also been a key strength, missing only one match in the closing stages of the season due to a minor injury. This is in stark contrast to Jota’s persistent injury struggles and strengthens the argument for Liverpool to pursue Ekitike in the upcoming transfer window.
While Ekitike’s finishing is still a work in progress, he has delivered an impressive campaign in Germany. He also registered seven goal contributions in 12 Europa League outings, highlighting his impact on the European stage.
It’s important to remember that finishing can improve over time. Jota, for instance, scored seven times in his final Premier League season with Wolves, despite missing 12 big chances.
What matters most is that Ekitike ticks all the right boxes and then some. His performances suggest he could be the dynamic, all-round striker Liverpool need, offering an upgrade on Jota and adding a fresh dimension to the team.
| Hugo Ekitke vs Diogo Jota (24/25 league stats only) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats (per 90) | Ekitike | Jota |
| Goals scored | 0.53 | 0.45 |
| Assists | 0.28 | 0.23 |
| Shots taken | 4.00 | 3.84 |
| Shot-creating actions | 3.55 | 2.78 |
| Touches (att pen) | 6.88 | 7.30 |
| Progressive passes | 1.86 | 2.56 |
| Progressive carries | 3.27 | 2.78 |
| Successful take-ons | 1.83 | 0.83 |
| Ball recoveries | 3.06 | 3.09 |
| Tackles + interceptions | 0.81 | 1.66 |
| All data via FBref | ||
The table above presents a comparison of the two forwards’ data from their respective league seasons. Ekitike’s performance clearly surpasses that of his Portuguese counterpart in nearly every metric, his effectiveness stemming from a strong commitment to getting into the box.
Let’s now examine the players’ ball-carrying statistics. Ekitike displays greater mobility, showcasing an energy and smoothness in possession that could prove valuable for Liverpool during transitions. In contrast, Jota tends to linger in advanced areas rather than actively helping the team move forward.
Jota is often described as a dynamic forward, yet Liverpool may have identified an even more versatile attacker in Ekitike—someone who not only offers more tactical flexibility but also comes with the added benefit of youth.
Considering that Jota’s once-reliable goal-scoring form has waned, it may be sensible to consider selling him after five commendable years at Anfield. A fresh addition could be exactly what Liverpool needs as they aim to fully embrace the Slot era.
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