Djibril Cisse has told Hugo Ekitike he "would've been crazy" to have turned down Liverpool advances . But the former Reds striker has warned his French compatriot he now has to justify his near £80m price tag at Anfield.

Hugo Ekitike is expected to finalise his move to Liverpool in the coming days, with the French striker arriving in the UK for his medical earlier this week

There is something theatrical in the way Liverpool conduct their transfer business. Not the fireworks of dramatic unveilings or plane-spotting hysteria, but a quiet, methodical assertion of intent. Hugo Ekitike is the latest name to pass under that spotlight,

Newcastle United have already moved on from the Hugo Ekitike saga after missing out on the Eintracht Frankfurt star last week. The Frenchman, instead, will join Liverpool after his medical was completed in London in recent days.

Manchester United have completed the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford as Marcus Rashford's exit nears whilst Arsenal continue to push for Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon

In stark contrast to recent transfer windows, the Reds have massively flexed their muscles in the marketplace this summer, bringing in Giorgi Mamardashvili (deal done in 2024), Jeremie Frimpong, Armin Pecsi, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez for a combined outlay exceeding £170m.

Liverpool famously vetoed the £53m signing of Nabil Fekir from Lyon back in June 2018 after becoming aware of a knee issue, once the Frenchman had carried out his medical. Therefore, if something similar occurs during Ekitike’s medical check, those at Anfield could well send him back to Frankfurt.

Hugo Ekitike is on the verge of joining Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt and it could affect Nicolas Jackson's short-term future at Chelsea.