Liverpool has agreed a fee with Eintracht Frankfurt for the transfer of Hugo Ekitike, with the Reds set to pay up to $106million (£79M for the French forward.
According to reports, Ekitike will cost Liverpool an initial £69M, with a further £10M in add-ons.
The Daily Star claims those add-ons are subject to the club and player reaching certain targets.
The move increases Liverpool summer spend in a window that has seen the Reds bolster their squad with the arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
Liverpool has now guaranteed to spend at least $233M (£240M) before add-ons this summer, which could add an extra $35M (£26M) on the fees agreed for Ekitike and Wirtz.
Giorgo Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi have also joined the team’s new-look goalkeeping department.
Liverpool made its move for Ekitike after it enquired about the services of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak last week.
The Magpies, who had previously been in talks with the Frankfurt forward, are adamant the player is not for sale. That’s despite recent reports of Isak being linked with a move the Saudi Pro League.
Liverpool is in need of extra firepower up front, with Darwin Nunez expected to leave this summer. The Reds also lost Diogo Jota in tragic circumstances earlier this month, when he died in a car crash alongside his brother, Andre Silva.
Liverpool flew to Hong Kong on Sunday ahead of two preseason games in Asia against AC Milan and Yokohama.
Ekitike could meet up with the squad should his transfer be concluded promptly.
The 23-year-old netted 22 times and provided 12 assists last season for Frankfurt, which piqued Liverpool’s interest.
In a summer when Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Mathues Cunha have been on the move, plus expected transfers for Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko, the Reds’ decision to plump for Ekitike is an interesting move.
His ability to stretch an opposition defense and drop deep and help link play offer a unique combination.
At 6ft 3in, Ekitike will add more speed to this Liverpool team, while he bring an injection of pace, too. That has been a common theme among Liverpool’s three main summer signings so far this summer.