HUG-OH YES

LIVERPOOL completed the signing of striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday for a reported £69 million (R1.7 billion) as the Premier League champions continued their close-season spending spree.

Liverpool wysed in a statement: “The 23-year-old has successfully completed a medical and agreed personal terms with the Reds, allowing him to fly out to Hong Kong to join his new teammates on their pre-season tour of Asia later this week.”

The deal taking the France Under-21 international to Anfield is set to push Liverpool’s spending past £250m this close season.

The Reds switched their focus to Ekitike following Newcastle’s refusal to sell Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who is valued at around £150m by the Magpies.

But it was reported on Thursday that Isak has demanded a transfer, with the Reds rumoured to be his preferred destination.

It is believed the Reds have agreed to pay a potential further £10m in add-ons to sign Ekitike, whose overall price tag could reach £79m.

Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Frankfurt last season after joining the Bundesliga club from Paris Saint-Germain.

He was named in the Bundesliga team of the season as Frankfurt finished third in Germany last term.

Liverpool have an opening in their forward line after Diogo Jota’s recent death in a car crash in Spain.

The Reds are also believed to be willing to sell Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, while Colombia forward Luis Diaz has been the target of a rejected bid from Bayern Munich.

Liverpool have already splashed out £116m on Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, as well as signing defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively.

Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Arne Slot’s span.