Hugo Ekitike being tracked by European giant ahead of potential Liverpool exit

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is reportedly being tracked by a major European club ahead of the summer transfer window.

Ekitike joined the Reds from Bundesliga side Frankfurt for a fee of £69 million last summer.

He scored in each of his first three competitive matches for Liverpool, and has 17 goals to his name in all competitions so far this season.

The 23-year-old is also now firmly established in the France squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and scored his second international goal in a 2-1 win over Brazil on Thursday.

Ekitike opted for a move to Liverpool over Newcastle, who had a club-record £70 million bid rejected by Newcastle, while there was also reported interest from Manchester United.

Hugo Ekitike has scored 17 goals for Liverpool this season (Image: Getty)

But according to TEAMtalk, the striker's performances this season have now alerted Real Madrid, who are said to have moved him up their transfer shortlist in recent months.

It is claimed that Los Blancos are eyeing a marquee centre forward signing in the summer of 2027, having opted against signing competition for Kylian Mbappe last year.

Instead, Castilla academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia has effectively been Mbappe's backup this season, scoring six goals in all competitions.

Garcia was promoted to the first team by previous Real manager Xabi Alonso ahead of the Club World Cup, and repaid his faith by netting four goals during the tournament.

He netted his first senior hat-trick as Los Blancos thrashed Real Betis 5-1 in January in what was one of Alonso's final La Liga matches in charge.

As for Ekitike, it is claimed that he is one of the names being discussed as part of Real's 'forward planning', and that they will continue to monitor his situation, as well as that of Manchester City star Erling Haaland, during 2026.

It remains to be seen whether that situation changes in the event of Liverpool not qualifying for next season's Champions League.

Arne Slot's side have picked up 49 points from their 31 league matches and currently sit fifth, with the Premier League all but mathematically certain to gain an additional Champions League qualification spot for finishing fifth via their superior UEFA co-efficient rating.