Hugo Ekitike
Image Credits: Getty Images
Hugo Ekitike reportedly as a preference between Chelsea and Liverpool this summer.
The French forward will be a man in demand in the coming weeks as Premier League giants, including the Reds, make their moves for the striker position.
Fresh off a breakout season featuring 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances, it’s fair to say his name will dominate the headlines until a resolution is made.
Eintracht Frankfurt, buoyed by their Champions League qualification, are under no pressure to sell.
Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krosche has publicly acknowledged that Ekitike could depart if the club’s financial demands are met.
Speaking to Sport1, Krosche stated:
“He’s one of the most interesting strikers on the European market. Hugo has to decide that, I’m glad we have him. If he decides otherwise, it’s our belief that if a player develops faster than us, we let him go”.
This statement has been interpreted as a green light for interested clubs to pursue the striker, provided they meet Frankfurt’s asking price.
But that is the catch: the Bundesliga side want a mouth-watering €100 million (£85.7 million) to sanction a sale.
Having acquired Ekitike for just €20 million from Paris Saint-Germain, Frankfurt stands to make a substantial profit from any potential sale.
The Reds have held preliminary talks with the 22-year-old’s representatives according to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany.
But it would seem that the player himself prefers a move to Stamford Bridge over Anfield.
Eintracht Frankfurt-centric outlet Adler News has reported that the U21 French international wants a move to Chelsea:
“Hugo Ekitiké is officially out of the France U21 team!”
“Chelsea FC is putting pressure on the transfer of Ekitike, who now wants to move to Chelsea.”
With the Blues in very advanced talks to sign Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, it seems Enzo Maresca’s side are not messing about after securing Champions League football.
It’s clear that Liverpool holds some form of interest in the Frankfurt striker.
But Chelsea seems like the player’s choice at the minute.
Hugo #Ekitiké ist offiziell raus aus dem U21-Team von Frankreich! ❌@ChelseaFC macht Druck, pushed den Transfer von @hekitike9, der jetzt zu #CFC wechseln will#AdlerNews | #Eintracht | #SGE 🦅 https://t.co/t5DghBUDjM
— AdlerNews (@AdlerNews) June 2, 2025
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