Transfer is on: Liverpool fans will be rubbing their hands after big update from Germany

Liverpool and Arsenal have been handed an opportunity to beat Chelsea to the signing of Hugo Ekitike.

This follows the Blues’ move for the Eintracht Frankfurt transfer breaking down on the June 10 deadline ahead of the Club World Cup.

The Stamford Bridge-based outfit is understood to remain in talks with the Bundesliga club.

Liverpool and Arsenal like Hugo Ekitike

The door is open for Ekitike to secure a Premier League move. In fact, quite a few doors are open.

For Chelsea, the big problem lies in the price tag, which Frankfurt have set at a rather plump €100m [£85.2m].

For that reason, the Blues have yet to commit to getting the deal over the line. That’s understandably so for a 22-year-old with no Premier League experience (albeit over 130 senior games under his belt).

“The race is completely open again for Hugo Ekitike. In addition to Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are still interested in the striker,” Christian Falk exclusively informed CaughtOffside.

“Frankfurt have made it clear to Chelsea: if they don’t pay €100m, the player will stay. This also applies to the next season. Frankfurt are playing in the Champions League and do not have to sell him. With Omar Marmoush, the club also held out until the very end in order to get the required transfer fee.

“Ekitike can still imagine a move to the Premier League. Now it’s up to the clubs to pay the right price.”

The Guardian have corroborated reports of shared interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

The competition doesn’t end there. According to reports from Sky Germany, Manchester United have now also entered the race for Hugo Ekitike.

Can Chelsea sign Ekitike?

Enzo Maresca’s men are going to have to make up their minds sooner rather than later.

They’re not in dire straits, of course, having already signed the talented Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, whilst Nicolas Jackson remains on the books. Christopher Nkunku is considered a likely exit this summer.

However, all three of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal would benefit from offensive reinforcements.

To take the Merseysiders as the clearest example, Arne Slot’s men found themselves short of contributions from the central attacking slot.

* Stats from all competitions in the 2024/25 season, via FBref

Beyond reinforcing the fullback positions, this is Liverpool’s clearest priority to address.

Assuming that Ekitike’s numbers are translatable to the Premier League – which they would appear to be given the Frenchman is underperforming his xG – he’s worth a punt.

It’s just a question of who will be prepared to meet Frankfurt’s rigid demands. For now, it seems Chelsea are struggling to justify the money to sign Hugo Ekitike.

Christian Falk’s Fact Files – Jack Grealish to the Bundesliga?

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