Chelsea are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike this summer.
Liverpool have also shown interest in the French forward. However, new manager Arne Slot appears to be prioritizing discussions with Bayer Leverkusen over a potential deal for German international Florian Wirtz — a player widely seen as a generational talent.
That focus, while understandable, could see Liverpool miss out on Ekitike.
Chelsea Hold Talks with Ekitike’s Representatives
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Chelsea are advancing efforts to sign Ekitike. The push appears ongoing, with RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins also reporting active negotiations.
Frankfurt are reportedly asking for €100 million (£84.3 million) for their star striker, who delivered an impressive 22 goals and 12 assists across 48 appearances in the 2024/25 season. His contract runs until the summer of 2029.
Liverpool Still Have Time to Make Their Move
Given Ekitike’s output and long-term contract, Frankfurt’s high valuation seems justified. Although Chelsea may be urgently seeking a striker, they might struggle to close a deal before the provisional transfer window closes on June 10.
That could provide Liverpool with a window of opportunity to assess a potential bid for Ekitike — depending on whether they need to sell players first.
Key Transfer Window Dates:
- June 10 (7pm BST): Provisional summer transfer window closes ahead of the Club World Cup
- June 16 – September 1: Full summer transfer window officially open
