According to reports, Chelsea have upped their chase for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, joining Arsenal and Liverpool in a battle for the 22-year-old Frenchman. Frankfurt will reportedly demand between £67.5 million and £84.4 million as a transfer fee for Ekitike, who has shown his readiness to leave if all parties’ interests are met.
Ekitike has put up the best record of his career in the Bundesliga with 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 games overall. This has led Frankfurt to third position and into next year’s Champions League. His return to beautiful form has come after his dismal stint at Paris Saint-Germain, where he could only score four goals. The prospect of selling Ekitike is also made more complex as PSG are owed 20% of the funds acquired when he is sold.
Chelsea’s capture of Ekitike is part of the plan by manager Enzo Maresca to sign youth and add some pizzazz to the team. The club is looking at other attacking prospects, including Brighton’s Joao Pedro, who Liverpool and Arsenal have also targeted.
Chelsea’s striker search: What Exactly are They Looking For?
It isn’t certain who the Blues actually plan to go for this summer. Sometimes, Liam Delap is at the head of the priority list, and the next day, it’s Benjamin Sesko vaulting to the top of the same list. Victor Osimhen remains on the list as well, keeping the rumour simmering along.
And then, out of nowhere, in comes Joao Pedro, before Ekitike as well. So, what exactly is going on at the Bridge? Who should they sign? These players have extremely different profiles. Delap and Osimhen are classic number 9s. Sesko has aerial threat and finishing, but also movement. Pedro is a technically gifted, more attack-minded player, while Ekitike is full of physicality with creativity.
With such different options, the Blues need to decide. Do they desire a classic target man or a link-up striker with mobility? Or are they just pursuing talent for talent’s sake?