Liverpool agree deal ‘to sign next Mbappe’ after bombshell transfer news
Liverpool spent years attempting to sign Kylian Mbappe, and might have just signed his successor.
The Reds were one of the teams interested in Mbappe when he was rumoured to leave Monaco in 2017.
However, Jurgen Klopp narrowly missed out on the forward who ended up signing for French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite this, there continued to be a feeling that Liverpool would be one of the frontrunners if the Frenchman left the Parisian club. However, that feeling was put to rest when he signed for Real Madrid.
While Liverpool fans were left disappointed not to sign Mbappe, it seems to have been a blessing in disguise, given the latest transfer news.
Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool considered a ‘done deal’
As reported by Florian Plettenberg on Sunday (20 July), Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool is considered a done deal.
It is understood that a full agreement in principle with Eintracht Frankfurt has now been reached for a fee of around £82.3million with add-ons included. The Frenchman will sign until 2031, with medicals set to take place soon.
This transfer has been highly anticipated. However, most Liverpool fans are still unaware of the potential superstar at their disposal.
Ekitike has not hidden his ambition to replicate Mbappe the best he can. The Frankfurt striker played alongside him during the 2022/23 season at PSG and no doubt learned quite a bit.
“That’s what it means to be a top-level player, and that’s what I aspire to become,” he told Foot Mercato [via GOAL] when discussing the Madrid star. “Over the last few years, he is the player I watch the most, who inspires me, and not necessarily only on the pitch.”
Liverpool fans will no doubt hope he fulfils his aspirations and more when he lands at Anfield this summer.
Liverpool have signed the next Mbappe
Mbappe netted 28 times and put up 13 assists during his breakout season at Monaco in 2016/17. Meanwhile, Ekitike scored 11 goals and made five assists in 27 appearances in 2021/22 for Stade Reims.
While the French captain was more efficient at a similar age, there are distinct similarities between the two players.
For large parts of the 2021/22 season, Mbappe had a free-roaming role under Mauricio Pochettino at PSG. Despite heading out of the UEFA Champions League against Madrid in the Round of 16, this season is widely seen as the Frenchman’s best.
He was unstoppable in many regards, operating from either wing but also crashing the box to get onto passes from deep. As a goalscorer, Mbappe was efficient. But as a creator, he reached a peak not yet seen during his career.
The Parisian scored 39 goals and made 26 assists in 46 appearances and was a large part of why PSG celebrated another Ligue 1 win that season.
While Ekitike has not replicated anything close to that level, there were several similarities in his overall game at Frankfurt last season. The striker had license to roam across the final third, which he naturally prefers to do.
Within this, he contributed as a goalscorer but was also able to create for his teammates on either wing or through the middle. This saw him net 22 times and contribute 12 assists in 48 appearances.
Therefore, as a skilled dribbler, a sufficient creator and goalscorer, as well as the ability to make others shine when given the freedom to do so, Liverpool may be welcoming the next Mbappe to Anfield this summer.
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