Hugo Ekitike: Why Are Clubs So Interested In Him?
It’s no secret that there are a few clubs in the hunt for a world-class striker. Including Hugo Ekitike. Some pundits argue the absence of a proven center-forward led Arsenal to another trophyless season. Mohammed Salah’s 28 goals played no small part in helping Liverpool win this season’s Premier League. Europe Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappé’s 30 goals helped gloss over what has been a disastrous campaign for Real Madrid.
Even Pep Guardiola, chief purveyor of the “false 9’“ philosophy, brought in Erling Haaland to bolster Man City’s title hopes last season. With certified goal poachers being in short supply, you’ll hear the same few names being linked with moves to needy clubs. One of these is Eintracht Frankfurt Forward Hugo Ekitike. A handful of top-five Premier League clubs are said to be in hot pursuit of the Frenchman, hoping he’ll prove as successful a Bundesliga buy as Haaland.
Long-Term Interest
Interest in the 22-year-old didn’t begin this season. As far back as 2021, while he was still finding his feet with boyhood club Stade de Reims, EPL scouts were already sizing Ekitike up. Newcastle United would have snapped him up in the January 2022 transfer window had Paris St-Germain not come knocking. With Alexander Isak proving to be worth the £63 million they splashed out on him, the Magpies are no longer in the beeline for Ekitike’s signature.
Price Wars
Liverpool, with Coach Arne Slot, is said to be a fan of the young striker. Securing his services won’t be cheap. The Reds will need to meet Eintracht Frankfurt’s £84 million valuation. A bidding war with Chelsea also said to be interested in Ekitike, may push the price toward £100 million. Arsenal are also said to be in the race, with Arteta hinting at bolstering his squad with big signings this summer. “It is going to be a big [summer] and we’re very excited about it,” the Gunners manager said in a recent interview.
Juicy Stats
Ekitike’s goal contribution numbers this season are one of the reasons clubs are drooling over him. His 15 goals and 8 assists helped Die Adler finish third behind Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, securing a Champions League slot. Not bad in his first full season at Deutsche Bank Park. Shouldering more of the team’s offensive burden following the January departure of a certain Omar Marmoush may have helped speed up Ekitike’s development.
Ekitike’s Many Assets
There’s much to admire about the way the Frankfurt frontman goes about his business on the pitch. Composure in the box is the first thing that’ll help a coach pick out a cold-blooded finisher. Ekitike has that in spades. His speed of thought enables him to carve out shooting opportunities for himself and his teammates before defenders can shuffle into position.
The lucky manager who has him under their wing next season will have more than a classic fox-in-the-box. They’ll have an understated playmaker equally adept at creating chances. And at just 22, he can still be molded and honed further.
Ekitike’s physical attributes are another attraction for clubs in what is thought to be the most physically demanding league in the world. His 6-foot-4 frame will give him more of a chance at winning aerial duels with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Dan Burn. And despite his slight build, the Frenchman knows how to shield the ball. His height in no way hinders Ekitike’s close control, and he drives with the ball as gracefully as prime Patrick Vieira.
