And now it is OFFICIAL
Hugo Ekitike from Germany to Liverpool in a 6years contract.
€80m +10m easy bonues and 5 extra hard bonuses
Crazy amount of money for not a top tier striker imho.
Hugo Ekitike isn’t a top tier striker but he will perform extraordinary well in Liverpool in replacement for Darwin Nunez if he leaves this summer.
Even though Ekitike is not a top tier striker Liverpool decided to sign him because they wanted something from him and hopefully he gives it all, as we can say from his performance in PSG and Frankfurt. Liverpool are currently in need of strikers because of the tragic lost of Jota and the possible departure of Nunez this transfer window.
The German side Frankfurt will benefit alot from this deal and they will possibly used to money to finance the club’s activities which is a nice cashout from a player.
Yes, Ekitike isn't "top tier" yet. But that is exactly the gamble Liverpool are playing. They are dropping up to €95m (and £250k/week wages) not because he is the finished product, but because his numbers scream "future killer" even if his goals do not. This is the new Liverpool, post-Klopp, post-underdog narrative, full-on data cult
Nunez comparison is obvious, but Ekitike's xG per 90 (0.67) was top 5 in Europe last season, but he underperformed his expected goals by a massive -5.2 (worst in the big leagues). In normal fan-speak, he is always in the right place, cannot finish to save his life (yet). Liverpool's bet? That finishing is randomness, process is gold. So, if he just becomes average in front of goal, surrounded by Wirtz and Salah, the guy's output could explode and he will look a bargain in 2 years