After securing UEFA Champions League qualification for next season, Chelsea are set for a big transfer window.
While there are certain to be a number of signings in the upcoming summer transfer window, a striker remains the Blues’ topmost priority.
Chelsea played the last two league games of the league season without a recognised striker after Nicolas Jackson was sent off against Newcastle United for elbowing Sven Botman in the face.
Now with Champions League qualification sealed, The Independent reports that Enzo Maresca’s team has discussed a move for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.
The club are now actively targeting a striker in the market with the French star high on their list, though they also have significant interest in Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.
While Arsenal are considering the former, who has shone for Sporting this season, Manchester United are now expected to sign Delap, leaving Chelsea to extensively discuss a move for Ekitike.
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Who is Hugo Ekitike?
The 22-year-old has scored 22 goals in 45 games for Eintracht Frankfurt this season, having made a permanent move from PSG in the summer, after a successful loan.
The French Under-21 international displayed his talent with a superb strike against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League quarter-final.
The only potential stumbling block for Chelsea could be Frankfurt’s valuation, with the Bundesliga side ready to demand around €100m (£83.9m) for Ekitike.
But Chelsea’s PSR outlook has been greatly bolstered by Champions League qualification, allowing flexibility.
Ekitike has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for a while now, and it seems like only a matter of time before the move becomes a reality.
As we head into the summer transfer window, this story is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
