Ekitike has been catching the eye in GermanyEkitike has been catching the eye in Germany
Ekitike has been catching the eye in Germany | AFP via Getty Images
A look at the transfer links between Arsenal, Chelsea and Hugo Ekitike, including what you need to know about the player himself.
Arsenal and Chelsea both find themselves in the market for a striker ahead of the summer, with the former the more desperate of the two London giants. The Gunners have been left mightily short up top having seen Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz ruled out for the season, all-but ending their Premier League title bid.
And with Jesus out for much of the calendar year, Arsenal will need to sign at least one striker this summer, if not two. Meanwhile, Chelsea need more competition for Nicolas Jackson, especially with Christopher Nkunku being linked with an exit. Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike has been linked, and here we round up all you need to know about the transfer situation.
Who is Hugo Ekitike?
Hugo Ekitike is a 22-year-old French striker currently playing for Eintracht Frankfurt. He began his career with Reims and graduated to their first team in 2020 after a spell with the B team. After a couple of loan moves, including one with PSG, he joined the French capital club, but things didn’t work out there, and he only made one league appearance.
Ekitike joined Entracht Frankfurt on loan, scoring four times in 14 league games, and he joined permanently in 2024, since making 25 league appearances and scoring three times. He is a Franee under-21s international, scoring twice in three games for that age group.
Ekitike stands at 6ft3”, and he is also eligible to represent Cameroon, where is mother is from.
What has been said about Hugo Ekitike’s future?
Ekitike is under a long term contract at Eintracth Frankfurt, under terms until 2029, but it looks as though he will move this summer.
Fabrizio Romano has posted on X: “Hugo Ekitike, expected to leave Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer after the excellent season he’s having. Premier League clubs already started calling for the French striker ahead of the summer transfer window.”
Who is interested in signing Hugo Ekitike?
A number of clubs have been linked with a move for Ekitike, who looks destined to land a big pay day this summer. According to Fichajes, both Arsenl and Chelsea are among those considering a deal for the Frenchman, but they are not alone.
It’s also claimed that Manchester United are interested as they look to add depth up top this summer. Florian Plettenburg has reported that Frankfurt will demand just under £60million for a deal this summer. “Arsenal is heavily linked with Benjamin Sesko. Also, from our view, at Leipzig, they know it’s very realistic that he’s going to leave the club in the summer,” he wrote on The Daily Briefing. “They would talk with €70m (£58.9m) on the table.”
Would Ekitike fit in at Arsenal or Chelsea?
Ekitike could be a good option for either Arsenal or Chelsea. On paper, his style of play suits Arsenal better in that he does play the Kai Havertz role in dropping in, holding the ball up and getting involved in play. Though, he is arguably more skilful with the ball at his feet than Havertz, albeit less polished at this stage of his career.
As for Chelsea, Ekitike would give them something difference to Nicolas Jackson, given he is better with the ball at his feet, whereas Jackson’s movement is better, and he is more likely to burn a defence in behind. Ekitike has a parallel to former Chelsea star Loic Remy in some ways, particularly with his gangly build and the way he uses the length of his leg reach to keep the ball away from defenders, offering him a distinct advantage when getting the ball out of the feet and having the time to shoot.
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