Liverpool have received a boost in their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, whose move to Chelsea ahead of the Club World Cup has collapsed, Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has revealed.
The French striker was targeted by Chelsea in the final hours of the 10-day transfer window ahead of the tournament in the United States but never came close to sealing a surprise switch to Stamford Bridge.
While both parties remain in talks over a potential move later in the summer, Liverpool are also believed to be firmly in the race, as Ekitike’s situation remains ‘one to watch’ in the coming weeks.
The Reds are believed to have identified the ex-Paris Saint-Germain striker as another potential target up front, alongside their ‘dream’ signing Alexander Isak.
Chelsea Move for Hugo Ekitike Collapses
Liverpool are still in the race for the 24-year-old
hugo ekitike frankfurt
According to Plettenberg, Chelsea never reached a full agreement with Ekitike, nor did they present an official offer to Frankfurt in time before the transfer deadline passed on Tuesday:
Ekitike is coming off a breakthrough season in Germany, with 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions for Frankfurt.
The Bundesliga club are believed to be braced for summer proposals for the 'elite' Frenchman and are expected to demand a fee in the region of €100m (£84m).
Liverpool are now closing in on their second signing from the German top flight this summer, as they have verbally agreed a deal in principle with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz.
The attacking midfielder is set to undergo his Anfield medical in the coming days and will become the most expensive signing ever made by a British club, with the total package of the deal worth up to €150m (£127m).
Hugo Ekitike's Frankfurt Stats (2024/25 Bundesliga)
Games
Goals
Assists
Goal-creating actions
Minutes played
Sign up toThe GIVEMESPORT Reportto get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Dean Jones and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox.
florian wirtz-1 Related
'No Agreement Yet' - David Ornstein Shares Interesting Wirtz to Liverpool Update
David Ornstein says he's hearing something different after reports emerged that Liverpool had agreed a deal to sign Florian Wirtz.
Statistics courtesy ofFbrefandTransfermarkt. Correct as of 1 1 -06-25.