Chelsea Football Club has emerged as a strong contender in the pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt’s young striker, Hugo Ekitike.
The 22-year-old Frenchman, who struggled to make an impact during his time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has revitalized his career in the Bundesliga.
Reports suggest that Chelsea is pushing hard to secure Ekitike’s signature, with suggestions that the club has already tabled an initial offer.
Other top Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City, have also been monitoring the forward’s progress.
Ekitike’s career has been a story of ups and downs.
After a breakthrough at Reims, where he attracted interest from several major clubs, he made the switch to PSG in 2022 for around €30 million.
However, his time in Paris did not go as planned, as he managed only four goals in 32 appearances.
His lack of form led to a loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt for the 2023/24 season, where he found his footing.
Frankfurt made the move permanent last summer for a fee of €16.5 million, a deal that now looks like an incredible bargain.
Ekitike has been in sensational form this season, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists in 46 matches across all competitions.
His tally includes 15 goals in 30 Bundesliga games and four in the Europa League, playing a key role in helping Frankfurt secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Chelsea’s interest in Ekitike is understandable, as they continue to search for a reliable striker to lead their attack.
While Nicolas Jackson has shown promise, head coach Enzo Maresca is eager to add more competition to the forward line, particularly after injuries to players like Christopher Nkunku limited the team’s attacking options this season.
Ekitike, known for his height, strength, and clinical finishing, fits the mold of the modern striker Maresca wants to integrate into his youthful squad.
Chelsea have reportedly submitted an opening bid of around £67 million, although Frankfurt is said to be holding out for a higher fee, possibly between £84 million and £100 million.
PSG, who included a 20% sell-on clause in Ekitike’s contract when he moved to Frankfurt, are set to benefit from any future transfer.
However, the situation remains fluid, with different reports offering conflicting views.
While some claim Chelsea are leading the race, others believe Liverpool remains the frontrunner, having tracked Ekitike since his Reims days.
Arsenal and Manchester City are also keeping tabs, with City’s new sporting director Hugo Viana reportedly opening talks with Ekitike’s representatives.
Nevertheless, Chelsea’s project under Maresca, combined with their recent Champions League qualification, could give them an advantage in negotiations.
Questions remain about whether Ekitike is ready to handle the pressure of leading the line for a club as big as Chelsea.
Emmanuel Petit, the former French international, has voiced concerns about whether Ekitike is prepared to shoulder such responsibility, especially given his struggles at PSG.
Yet, Ekitike’s strong form at Frankfurt suggests he may have grown as a player, and Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krösche has described him as “one of the most interesting strikers in Europe,” indicating the club could be open to a transfer if the right offer comes in.
Many Chelsea fans are cautiously optimistic, viewing Ekitike as a potential bargain compared to other high-profile targets like Victor Osimhen, whose wage demands have previously stalled a possible move to Stamford Bridge.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Chelsea’s pursuit of Ekitike is a situation worth watching, with the final decision likely to depend on whether the Blues can meet Frankfurt’s valuation and convince the young forward that a move to West London is the best next step in his promising career.
