Chelsea’s Interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike Heats Up
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Chelsea are keen to bolster their attacking lineup this summer and have set their sights on Eintracht Frankfurt’s highly-rated forward, Hugo Ekitike. According to sources close to the club, granted anonymity to protect relationships, Chelsea are interested in signing the 22-year-old France Under-21 international, who is valued at €100million (£83.9m; $114m) (The Athletic).
Ekitike enjoyed a highly successful 2024-25 season with Frankfurt, scoring 22 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions. The young forward has become one of the most coveted players in the Bundesliga, with his impressive form attracting the attention of several top clubs. This season, Ekitike was Frankfurt’s joint-top scorer in the league with 15 goals, alongside Omar Marmoush, who joined Manchester City in January (The Athletic).
The French forward’s rise to prominence has been swift, having initially joined Frankfurt on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in January 2024. The move was made permanent the following summer for a fee of €17.5m. Ekitike’s success has led to comparisons with other top forwards, and his valuation is reflective of his talent and potential. Frankfurt have a history of negotiating big fees for their players, particularly forwards. The club sold Marmoush to Manchester City for €75m and Randal Kolo Muani to Paris Saint-Germain for €95m in 2023 (The Athletic).
Chelsea’s priority this summer is to sign a striker and a right-footed winger, with Ekitike emerging as a top target. The Blues are also considering Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko as alternatives. According to The Athletic, Chelsea are eager to move swiftly through the market this summer and finalise all incomings and outgoings by the end of June. The club’s swift approach is driven by their desire to head into pre-season with a settled squad and maximise preparation time ahead of Enzo Maresca’s second season.
Ekitike’s impressive statistics make him an attractive proposition for Chelsea. The young forward ended the season with 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions. His ability to score goals and create chances for his teammates has made him a sought-after talent in the transfer market.
A Player Evolving into a Complete Forward
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According to German football writer Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, Ekitike is “fast becoming an excellent player.” Stafford-Bloor notes that Ekitike’s combination play with Marmoush was a key factor in Frankfurt’s success last season. “He showed the variety within his game,” Stafford-Bloor writes. “A goalscorer, yes, but also a devastating counter-attacker and a forward capable of creating chances, with pieces of skill or well-weighted passes that befuddled defenders.”
Stafford-Bloor believes that Ekitike has the potential to become a complete forward, with a range of skills that make him a threat to opposing teams. “He seemed to grow into the gaps left by Marmoush, becoming more central to Frankfurt’s attacking game in the new year,” Stafford-Bloor notes. “In addition, while most obviously a technical player, he can be a formidable penalty box target, too, and has shown an aerial presence that can take defenders by surprise.”
While Ekitike still has areas for improvement, Stafford-Bloor is convinced that he has the talent and potential to succeed at the highest level. “There is no question that he is still developing,” Stafford-Bloor writes. “He must become more efficient and is occasionally prone to snatching at chances, but he is as talented as there is in German football and Premier League interest this summer was inevitable.”
In conclusion, Chelsea’s interest in Hugo Ekitike is a clear indication of their desire to strengthen their attacking lineup this summer. With his impressive form and potential, Ekitike is a valuable asset for any team. As the transfer window heats up, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be able to secure the services of the highly-rated forward.
The article was originally published by The Athletic.
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