Liverpool Loses Millions After £79m Ekitike Deal Confirmed

Liverpool have been very active in the transfer market as they aim to defend their Premier League title, adding players like Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike, the latter for a club-record fee of around £79 million. However, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness criticized Liverpool's signing of Ekitike as a "massive gamble," suggesting they overpaid by about £10 million for the relatively unproven striker. Wirtz, signed for a record fee plus add-ons, has impressed in preseason, showing potential to elevate Liverpool's performance significantly. Meanwhile, Chelsea's recent Club World Cup victory boosted their reputation and odds for the Premier League title, but concerns remain about their squad's consistency and fitness due to an unprecedented preseason schedule. Chelsea are also undergoing a major squad overhaul, spending over £200 million on new signings including Jorrel Hato, while reportedly close to selling Joao Felix to Saudi club Al Nassr for around £40 million, with Felix set for a lucrative contract that would make him one of the highest earners linked to the Premier League. Both clubs are aggressively reshaping their squads ahead of the new season, balancing high-profile signings with strategic sales amid questions about value and readiness.