Chelsea have made Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike their “top striker target” for the summer transfer window, according to reports.
The France Under 23 international has caught the attention with his performances in Germany this season, having scored 25 goals in all competitions.
Ekitike has attracted interest from several other Premier League teams, including Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.
However,The Independent claim that the Blues are emerging as favourites for the forward, with rivals focused on recruiting other players.
Ekitike’s asking price could prove to be a problem
Frankfurt are said to be holding out for a fee in the region of €100m (£84m) and The Independent do say that the figure could be a “stumbling block” in negotiations.
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With Chelsea having qualified for the Champions League, there should be greater room for manoeuvre in the transfer market.
Even so, you would think that the club would still be hesitant about splashing out such a high sum on someone who has only really established himself as a top No.9 this campaign.
Chelsea are looking at alternatives
While Ekitike appears to be the target favoured by Enzo Maresca’s side currently, the cost of signing the 22-year-old means they will likely consider cheaper options too.
Liam Delap’s availability for £30m makes him an attractive target. The Ipswich Town striker is expected to make a decision on his future this week. In addition to the Blues, the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle and Everton have also held talks with the player.
Brighton’s Joao Pedro is another name under consideration. Reports in Brazil have suggested that “negotiations” over a transfer are already underway, although some journalists have poured cold water on those claims. The forward is, though, said to be available for around £60m, making him slightly less expensive than Ekitike.
Find out who is in Chelsea’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here