Crystal Palace have entered the race for highly-regarded Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, who wants a Premier League move.
According to TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace are the latest club to enter the race for Hugo Ekitike ahead of the summer. The Eagles are likely to enter the striker’s market as the future of Jean-Philippe Mateta hangs in the balance ahead of entering the final year of his deal at Selhurst Park.
Hugo Ekitike is gathering quite a lot of interest in the market, particularly from the Premier League after a series of top performances for Eintracht Frankfurt. The French striker has particularly shone since the departure of Omar Marmoush, with the former PSG man contributing to 27 goals.
A host of teams are keen which includes Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United, as all those teams require a new striker. Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt want £60 million to sell the striker at the very least, which will be a big factor in determining where the French striker moves to.
Now, Crystal Palace have entered the race for Ekitike, as there are some doubts about Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future, which hangs in the balance. The Eagles are eager to offer him a new deal, but there is growing speculation that the attacker might depart as he enters the final year of his deal at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace will demand £40 million for Mateta if they have to sell him, and they have now earmarked the signing of Ekitike as his replacement in the summer. Whether they are successful in their attempts to lure the £60 million-rated French attacking sensation remains to be seen, as the quality of competition for the striker will be difficult to overcome for the London side.
Hugo Ekitike keen on a Premier League switch
Ekitike appears destined to leave Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer as the striker has ambitions to play in the Premier League. While his agents are aware of the many clubs showing an interest in the forward, it remains to be seen which of those come in with an offer that pleases the Bundesliga side and convinces them to sell.
In any case, Hugo Ekitike wants to join a Premier League club, and it could potentially even be Palace if the other options shut in the coming period. The Eagles will be a good option for the striker, as he will probably be the main striker there in the scenario of Mateta’s departure, although Ekitike and his camp are expected to study other offers.