Bundesliga
Toppmöller on Ekitiké to Liverpool rumours
It appears Hugo Ekitiké is close to an exit from Eintracht Frankfurt after coach Dino Toppmöller said it is "quite possible" that last season's top scorer leaves, with rumours of a transfer to Liverpool gathering momentum.
Ekitiké, Frankfurt's top-scorer last season as they finished third in the Bundesliga and claimed a return to the UEFA Champions League, was an unused substitute in Die Adler's 3-2 pre-season friendly over city rivals FSV Frankfurt yesterday.
His absence only fuelled speculation further over the French striker's future and Topmöller addressed those rumours head on after his side's victory.
Watch: All Hugo Ekitiké's Bundesliga goals and assists
“He didn’t play - everything else is easy enough to figure out,” Toppmöller told media following the win.
“That would be a tough loss. In the winter, we lost our absolute top player in Omar Marmoush [to Manchester City]. The other one [Ekitiké] stepped up and developed sensationally. It’s quite possible that this, too, is now history. That’s why I believe we’ll need to lower expectations overall a bit.”
Ekitiké initially joined Frankfurt on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in January 2024 before making his move permanent that summer.
The 23-year-old emerged as one of the most exciting forwards on the continent last season, scoring 15 times and laying on eight assists in the Bundesliga, while bagging a combined 22 goals in all competitions.