Latest news with #MarkusKrösche
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Reds advance with €90m package for Bundesliga striker
Liverpool's Bold Ekitike Move Signals Intent in Arne Slot Era Ekitike bid points to strategic ambition Liverpool's summer evolution has taken a decisive step, with @SamCReports revealing that the Reds have submitted an improved bid for Hugo Ekitike. The offer, reportedly worth around €90 million including add-ons, signals a significant show of faith in the young French striker. Ekitike, once courted by several Premier League clubs and formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, is a player with undeniable potential. Still just 23, he boasts technical grace, clever movement and a striker's instinct that has made him one of the most intriguing attacking prospects in Europe. Key figures in negotiations Liverpool's new-look leadership structure is wasting no time. Richard Hughes and Frankfurt counterpart Markus Krösche are aiming to finalise an agreement by this weekend or early next week, as per SamCReports. Their swift and assertive approach suggests that Ekitike is a priority target, rather than a fallback option. Tactical implications under Slot Arne Slot favours vertical passing, fluid rotations, and high pressing, all of which require a mobile front line. Ekitike, who thrives on quick transitions and one-touch link-up play, would bring fresh dimensions to Liverpool's forward unit. While the club already boasts attacking firepower in Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo, none carry Ekitike's particular blend of poise and penetration. He could either compete with Núñez for the central role or allow Slot to shift formations more freely throughout matches. Shifting transfer policy speaks volumes A bid of €90 million for a player with limited top-level experience is significant. It shows a willingness to invest early in upside rather than waiting for players to prove themselves elsewhere. Liverpool's move for Ekitike also sends a message to rivals. Arsenal and Chelsea have both shown interest in young forwards, but this attempt to conclude a deal swiftly may allow the Reds to steal a march. 'Discussions are ongoing regarding add-ons, with the total package valued at around €90 million.' If completed, this could be one of the headline moves of the summer — not just for what Ekitike offers on the pitch, but for what his arrival symbolises about the club's direction in the Slot era. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis From a Liverpool fan's perspective, this feels like a statement signing. We've been crying out for the club to act quickly and decisively in the market and that's exactly what Hughes and Krösche are doing here. Hugo Ekitike might not be a household name yet, but his ceiling is enormous — and at 23, he's the kind of player who could thrive at Anfield for years. There's always risk in spending big on potential, but when you look at how modern football works, getting a player before they explode is often cheaper than trying to buy them after.
Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Times
Newcastle United make £70m bid for Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Newcastle United have made a bid of more than £70million for the Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. The German club are expected to reject that offer, wanting closer to Ekitike's release clause of £86million, but talks are continuing. Sources at Newcastle insist that if the 23-year-old is signed it would not mean that Alexander Isak would definitely leave this summer, but the Frenchman's arrival will clearly have significant financial implications for a club who only narrowly avoided a Profitability and Sustainability Rules points penalty last season. Newcastle are believed to be offering Ekitike a substantial salary, while the club have already bought Anthony Elanga for £55million this summer, and are confident of signing the goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley for a fee that could be as much as £30million. Liverpool are known to be admirers of Isak. Newcastle want to increase their attacking options to cope with the four competitions, including the Champions League, that they will be playing in next season. William Osula, a 21-year-old Denmark Under-21 international, is at present the only alternative to Isak after Callum Wilson's departure as a free agent. The deal is being brokered by Ali Barat, an agent involved in the transfers of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea and Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid. Frankfurt's sporting director, Markus Krösche, who was responsible for the sale of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City for £63million in January, has a reputation as a tough negotiator. Ekitike scored 22 goals and claimed 12 assists in all competitions last season, helping the German club to qualify for the Champions League. He has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea in recent months. Newcastle tried to sign Ekitike in both transfer windows in 2022. Instead he left Reims for Paris Saint-Germain, initially on loan. He struggled and joined Eintracht, initially on loan, in February 2024 before a permanent move for £14million last summer. The Newcastle head coach, Eddie Howe, missed out on signing João Pedro, the forward who joined Chelsea this summer, but signed Elanga, the winger, who will compete with Jacob Murphy on the right wing while Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes play on the left flank.
Washington Post
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Frankfurt signs Germany forward Jonathan Burkardt from Bundesliga rival Mainz
FRANKFURT, Germany — Eintracht Frankfurt signed Germany forward Jonathan Burkardt from Bundesliga rival Mainz on Friday. The 24-year-old Burkardt signed a contract through June 2030. 'Jonny has a lot of qualities that will benefit our game. He has proven his finishing ability at Mainz, just as he has his tactical understanding. He's an absolute team player on and off the pitch,' Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche said.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Frankfurt signs Germany forward Jonathan Burkardt from Bundesliga rival Mainz
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Eintracht Frankfurt signed Germany forward Jonathan Burkardt from Bundesliga rival Mainz on Friday. The 24-year-old Burkardt signed a contract through June 2030. 'Jonny has a lot of qualities that will benefit our game. He has proven his finishing ability at Mainz, just as he has his tactical understanding. He's an absolute team player on and off the pitch," Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche said. Advertisement Burkardt was the top-scoring German player in the Bundesliga last season with 18 in 29 games, a club record for Mainz. Only Harry Kane, Serhou Guirassy and Patrik Schick scored more. Altogether he scored 41 goals in 136 Bundesliga games after coming through Mainz's youth ranks following a switch from Darmstadt's youth setup in 2014, and he spent 11 years at the club. Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel said Burkardt will remain cherished by the club after extending his contract when he could have left for free in 2023. 'Mainz would have been relegated without his outstanding performances in the second half of the season 2023-24, after his long injury layoff,' Heidel said. 'We haven't forgotten that.' Advertisement Burkardt's signing by Frankfurt could indicate the club might be willing to let Hugo Ekitiké go. The French forward has been linked with Premier League clubs after his fine finish to the season in the wake of Omar Marmoush's midseason departure for Manchester City. Burkardt has made three appearances for Germany since his debut last year. ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press
Associated Press
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Frankfurt signs Germany forward Jonathan Burkardt from Bundesliga rival Mainz
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Eintracht Frankfurt signed Germany forward Jonathan Burkardt from Bundesliga rival Mainz on Friday. The 24-year-old Burkardt signed a contract through June 2030. 'Jonny has a lot of qualities that will benefit our game. He has proven his finishing ability at Mainz, just as he has his tactical understanding. He's an absolute team player on and off the pitch,' Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche said. Burkardt was the top-scoring German player in the Bundesliga last season with 18 in 29 games, a club record for Mainz. Only Harry Kane, Serhou Guirassy and Patrik Schick scored more. Altogether he scored 41 goals in 136 Bundesliga games after coming through Mainz's youth ranks following a switch from Darmstadt's youth setup in 2014, and he spent 11 years at the club. Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel said Burkardt will remain cherished by the club after extending his contract when he could have left for free in 2023. 'Mainz would have been relegated without his outstanding performances in the second half of the season 2023-24, after his long injury layoff,' Heidel said. 'We haven't forgotten that.' Burkardt's signing by Frankfurt could indicate the club might be willing to let Hugo Ekitiké go. The French forward has been linked with Premier League clubs after his fine finish to the season in the wake of Omar Marmoush's midseason departure for Manchester City. Burkardt has made three appearances for Germany since his debut last year. ___ AP soccer:
