Liverpool’s chances of signing Hugo Ekitike after they complete a deal for Florian Wirtz have taken a major blow as the talent pool for centre forwards is diluted further.
Arne Slot would love to sign Newcastle United star Alexander Isak but he is not for sale but he may now struggle to sign Ekitike as well despite being concretely linked with a move to sign the French forward.
Last week, both Fabrizio Romano and Florian Plettenberg reported that Liverpool were turning their attention to Ekitike and that Arne Slot and Michael Edwards were both very keen on him. At that point, talks had already taken place.
But now, Chelsea have taken a commanding position in the race to sign the 22-year-old and while Liverpool are not out of the race, the Blues now appear to be in the strongest position to sign Ekitike this summer.
“Chelsea have broadly agreed personal terms with Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike”
According to Simon Phillips, reporting via his Substack page, Chelsea want to sign two strikers this summer and have taken a big step towards making Ekitike one of their attacking signings.
Phillips reports: “Chelsea ideally want to bring two new strikers in this window, and the second one as well as Delap might even still happen before the CWC with advancements made over the weekend.
“SPTC sources have heard that Chelsea have broadly agreed personal terms with Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike over the weekend after another round of talks with his agents.
“On the club side, Frankfurt are still digging their heels in on the £80m asking price for Ekitike, but Chelsea are still firmly there for him and are attempting to negotiate that fee down. Sources have said that confidence has been growing on Chelsea’s side that they can do this deal, especially after broadly agreeing personal terms with the player.
“Frankfurt also have a replacement already lined up, so Chelsea know there is a willingness to sell there and that the player wants to leave – they will sell.”
Liverpool are still working to sign Florian Wirtz and should they do so, missing out on Ekitike will not be as damaging as it normally might be but if Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are happy to pass on the French international, there will be an alternative plan in play.
