Chelsea are currently ahead of both Arsenal and Liverpool in the chase for highly-rated striker Hugo Ekitike, who has attracted widespread attention after a standout campaign at Eintracht Frankfurt.
The 22-year-old forward enjoyed a sensational season, registering 34 goal contributions in 48 appearances, placing him among the hottest names in this summer’s transfer market.
Arsenal, who have struggled for consistency in front of goal, are actively seeking a reliable scorer, while Liverpool are reportedly considering moving on from Darwin Nunez. Chelsea, despite having recently secured the signing of Liam Delap, remain eager to bolster their attacking options and see Ekitike as a valuable addition.
However, while interest in the young Frenchman continues to rise, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has offered a balanced perspective on Ekitike’s abilities.
Speaking to Micah Richards on The Rest is Football podcast, Henry explained that while Ekitike has shown flashes of brilliance, he occasionally struggles with fundamental aspects of the game. “He’s not exactly frustrating, but sometimes he looks brilliant, and then there are moments when the basics seem to escape him,” Henry observed. He added that if Ekitike can iron out those inconsistencies, his potential ceiling remains very high.
Chelsea appear poised to submit a bid in the region of £60 million, but Henry’s cautious remarks have raised questions about whether Ekitike can immediately deliver at the highest level. Micah Richards also weighed in, expressing that while Ekitike is a talent, his playing style might not be a natural fit for Liverpool’s tactical setup.
According to Richards, Ekitike thrives on stretching defenses and operating on the shoulder of the last defender, which differs from the more involved, link-up play that Roberto Firmino offered Liverpool in recent seasons.
Meanwhile, Arsenal seem to be progressing in talks to sign Benjamin Sesko, who is reportedly Mikel Arteta’s preferred option to lead the line. If Arsenal secure Sesko and Liverpool shift their focus to Florian Wirtz, a versatile attacker capable of operating as a false nine, Chelsea would likely have a clearer run at landing Ekitike.
Despite earlier doubts surrounding Chelsea’s transfer strategy, the club seems determined to back new head coach Enzo Maresca by reinforcing the squad ahead of a busy season.
With the Club World Cup on the horizon and a June 10th registration deadline for eligible signings, Chelsea fans can expect swift developments in the coming days.
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