Toppmöller hints at Ekitike exit as Liverpool close in on deal

Eintracht Frankfurt boss Dino Toppmöller has hinted that Hugo Ekitiké’s time at the club is over, as Liverpool reportedly close in on a deal for the Frenchman.

Hugo Ekitiké was left out of Eintracht Frankfurt’s squad for their 3-2 friendly win over FSV Frankfurt on Saturday amid mounting speculation over his future.

Reports suggest Liverpool are closing in on a deal for the French striker that could surpass Eintracht’s club-record sale of €95 million including add-ons.

Speaking after the match, head coach Dino Toppmöller strongly hinted that Ekitiké may have already played his final game for the club.

“He didn’t play – everything else is easy enough to figure out,” Toppmöller told Kicker.

“That’s 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.”