Real Madrid shortlist Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike alongside Erling Haaland as Frenchman’s "swagger" draws Wayne Rooney comparisons to Romario

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is a top target for Real Madrid alongside Erling Haaland after a prolific 18-goal debut season at Anfield.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 12:46 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

A Sudden Rise in the Madrid Hierarchy

Hugo Ekitike’s transition from Eintracht Frankfurt to the Premier League has been nothing short of explosive, catching the eye of Real Madrid’s recruitment team. According to reports from TEAMtalk, the French forward has "climbed sharply" up Madrid’s internal shortlist in recent months. While the Spanish giants are not expected to make an immediate move this summer, Ekitike has been categorized alongside Erling Haaland as a priority target for the club’s forward planning past 2026. Madrid reportedly views Ekitike’s versatile profile as a perfect fit for their "post-Benzema" era of attacking fluidity.

The Statistical Impact at Anfield

Since his £79 million move, Ekitike has been the most consistent performer in an expensive £400 million summer rebuild that included stars like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. While some new arrivals have struggled under the pressure of the Premier League, Ekitike has thrived, recording:

42 appearances across all competitions.

18 goals and 5 assists.