Kylian Mbappe played a huge role in helping Hugo Ekitike become one of Europe's top strikers as he nears Liverpool move

Kylian Mbappe played a significant role in helping former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Hugo Ekitike become the player he is today as the French striker closes in on a big-money move to Liverpool.

It was widely reported on Thursday that Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign Ekitike from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth more than £70 million.

The 23-year-old striker, who helped Frankfurt secure Champions League qualification with 22 goals and 13 assists across 2024/25, is open to joining Arne Slot's side and is expected to make the switch this weekend.

Ekitike has enjoyed a rapid rise over the past 18 months. After struggling for first-team minutes at PSG, he joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a six-month loan deal in February 2024 that included a mandatory buy option of £14.3 million.

It was the making of Ekitike, who flourished in the Bundesliga thanks, in part, to the advice of former teammate Kylian Mbappe.

Speaking at his Frankfurt unveiling in February last year, Ekitike was full of praise for Mbappe.

“I have become a better footballer and a better person because of him [Mbappe]," he said. "I watched him a lot and he gave me a lot of tips on where I could improve. He recommended that I take the next step and advised me to come here to progress and develop."

That's right. Mbappe was the one who urged Ekitike to move to Frankfurt from PSG in the first place.

After scoring a handful of goals during his initial loan spell, the German club reaped the rewards in 2024/25 as Ekitike netted 22 times across all competitions. In fact, Ekitike had 117 shots in the Bundesliga last season – more than any other player.

Mbappe and Ekitike during their time at PSG. Image credit: Getty

Ekitike has impressed many onlookers in recent months, including former Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who made a bold comparison after watching him play in a Europa League clash against Ajax.

“I might say something really crazy, but I’ll say it anyway – I think he’s a mix between Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappe. I sincerely think so," said Sneijder, as per Footmundo.

“He has the grace of Neymar, but also the movements of Mbappe. To suddenly accelerate, that’s something that Mbappe also has. And he’s only 22 years old. There’s really a lot of potential in this boy."