Breaking: Liverpool seal £79m on Hugo Ekitike

Premier League champions Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a transfer worth up to £79 million.

The 23-year-old forward, who scored 22 goals in all competitions for Frankfurt last season, will become the club’s fifth major signing this summer.

According to reports, the package includes a £69m base fee plus £10m in performance-related add-ons. Ekitike is expected to undergo medical tests this week before joining Arne Slot’s squad on their pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Japan.

Liverpool, who thrashed Stoke City 5-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday, have already smashed the British transfer record by signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116.5m.

Other arrivals include Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m), Milos Kerkez (£40m), and Giorgi Mamardashvili (£29m), bringing the club’s summer outlay to an eye-watering £289m.

Ekitike’s addition comes after Liverpool beat Newcastle to his signature. The Magpies had a £70m bid rejected last week, falling short of his release clause.

Last season, Ekitike was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season, after netting 15 goals in the league and providing key contributions in Frankfurt’s attack.

Meanwhile, several stars have left Anfield, including Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, and Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford. More exits are expected, with Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and Harvey Elliott linked with moves away before the window closes.