Liverpool are edging closer to securing a new striker, with their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike gathering pace.
According to TBR Football, the Reds have already reached an agreement on personal terms with the French forward and have now tabled a £70million offer.
While Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle also expressed interest in the 22-year-old, it is Liverpool who are now actively working to finalise the transfer.
Oscar Garcia, who previously managed Ekitike at Stade Reims, has offered insight into what the striker will bring to his new side, along with some coaching advice for those taking him forward.
Oscar Garcia Says Hugo Ekitike Will Need Individual Coaching
Speaking to Sky Sports, Garcia described Ekitike as a player who has consistently shown confidence and ambition throughout his career.
“He always was a talented player but some coaches did not like him because of his profile and sometimes because of his character,” said Garcia.
“They were thinking he was a little bit arrogant. He always wanted to be compared with the best ones.”
During his time at Reims, Ekitike was initially encouraged to match the standards of two unnamed strikers in Ligue 1, but it didn’t take long before he set his sights on reaching the level of Kylian Mbappe.
In terms of Ekitike’s traits, Garcia said: “He is not a kind of a striker who will be always into the box waiting for a cross, he is very mobile and very difficult to mark.
“He can fit with teams that play more counter-attack but also with teams with more possession, because he has the skill for both styles.
“You do not find many strikers like him at his age. He is tall, fast, mobile, very good one against one, holds the ball and scores goals.”
However, Garcia noted that Ekitike will require specialised coaching support to help him take the next step in his development.
“All players can improve,” he continued. “He knows which aspects he can improve on but he also needs help to develop his potential to reach the level that all the people who know him believe he can reach.
“Individual work with him will be fundamental for his development.”
Wesley Sneijder, regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his era, offered high praise for Ekitike earlier this year.
Following a goal against Ajax in March, Sneijder described the young forward as a blend of Neymar and Mbappe.
“I’ll tell you, I’ve seen a lot of this boy,” Snijder told Ziggo Sport.
“Now, I may say something really crazy, but I’ll say it anyway, I think he is a mix between Neymar and Mbappe. I sincerely mean that.
“He has that grace from Neymar but also the movements of Mbappe. Suddenly accelerating, that’s something Mbappe also has.
“There is really a lot of potential in this boy.”
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