Premier League latest: Liverpool agree $142m deal for Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool are closing in on a new striker after agreeing to a lofty sum with a Bundesliga club, while Manchester United’s long chase of a Premier League star has finally come to an end.

Liverpool have agreed to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth an initial £69 million ($142 million), according to reports on Monday.

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

Newcastle and Manchester United were also interested in Ekitike, but Liverpool look set to win the race for one of Europe’s hottest young stars.

It is believed the Reds have agreed to pay a potential further £10 million in add-ons to sign the 23-year-old Frenchman, whose overall price tag could reach £79 million ($163m).

Liverpool are set to spend big on Hugo Ekitike. Picture: Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Once the transfer is completed, Ekitike will link up with Arne Slot’s side on their pre-season tour of Asia.

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 an unused substitute during his side’s pre-season friendly against FSV Frankfurt on Saturday, with Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller admitting Ekitike’s impending departure was “a bitter loss”.

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.

Luis Diaz is reportedly chasing a deal with Bayern Munich. Picture: Darren Staples/AFP

Liverpool have already splashed out £116 million 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 side since the end of last season after agreeing his move from Valencia in 2024.

United sign Mbeumo

Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo said he “grew up wearing” the Manchester United shirt on Monday after joining the club from Brentford on a deal until 2030, with an option for a further year.

Mbeumo, 25, will reportedly cost the 20-time Premier League champions an initial £65 million ($87 million) having scored 20 goals in 38 league games last season for the Bees.

Tottenham, now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, were also chasing the France-born attacker before United’s improved offer sealed the move.

The wait is over. pic.twitter.com/hPQhyobOrB

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 21, 2025

United’s third bid, worth an initial £65m with £6m in add-ons, was accepted last week.

“As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams,” Mbeumo said in a United statement.

“The team whose shirt I wore growing up.

“This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies,” he added.

United coach Ruben Amorim has signed two other players during this summer in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last season’s catastrophic display.

They lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final and a 15th-place finish in the top flight was their lowest since 1973-74.

Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and teenage Paraguayan defender Diego Leon have also moved to Old Trafford.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled as Amorim’s main strikers last term.

“My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday,” Mbeumo said. “I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.

Bienvenue, Bryan 🫡

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 21, 2025

Mbeumo blossomed in six years at Brentford, scoring 70 goals and providing 51 assists in 242 appearances in all competitions following his move from French club Troyes in 2019.

He helped the Bees win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and was instrumental in their impressive 10th-place finish in 2024-25.

“We are delighted to have secured another one of our primary targets ahead of the pre-season tour,” the Red Devils’ director of football Jason Wilcox said.

“The experience in the US will be the perfect opportunity for Bryan to work with Ruben and his new team-mates as we prepare for an exciting season ahead,” he added.

United start their pre-season tour of the United States on Sunday by facing West Ham before their opening game of the new Premier League season against Arsenal on August 17.

Originally published as Premier League latest: Liverpool agree $142m deal for Hugo Ekitike