Chelsea Eye €100m Move for Frankfurt Sensation Hugo Ekitike After Stunning Breakthrough Season

Chelsea are stepping up their pursuit of rising French star Hugo Ekitike after the 22-year-old forward lit up the Bundesliga with a standout campaign for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Once sidelined and seemingly forgotten at Paris Saint-Germain, Ekitike’s dramatic rise has caught the attention of several Premier League giants — but it’s the Blues who have moved him to the top of their summer striker shortlist. Arsenal and Liverpool are also monitoring the situation, but Chelsea are believed to be the most serious contenders at this stage.

Ekitike has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in his career since joining Frankfurt at the end of the 2024 winter transfer window. Signed on loan from PSG before making the move permanent for around €30 million, the Frenchman became the driving force behind Frankfurt’s historic run to third place in the Bundesliga — securing the club’s first-ever direct qualification for the Champions League.

With 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, Ekitike didn’t just lead the line; he became a fan favourite and was rightfully named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

His sensational form has prompted Frankfurt to place a hefty price tag on their star striker, reportedly valuing him between €80 million and €100 million. However, the club are open to letting him leave — provided their financial demands are met and the player’s ambitions align with the move.

Chelsea, in need of a proven goal scorer after another underwhelming campaign in front of goal, view Ekitike as a prime target. Alongside Benjamin Šeško and Napoli star Victor Osimhen, the Frenchman is one of three strikers the Stamford Bridge outfit are seriously considering this summer.

What makes Ekitike’s story even more impressive is the mental resilience he’s shown after a difficult spell at PSG. The former Stade de Reims talent was frozen out of the squad and labelled surplus to requirements — a period that could have derailed his promising career. Instead, he used the setback as fuel to come back stronger.

“I worked hard off the pitch to be where I am today,” Ekitike reportedly told French media earlier this year. His commitment has paid off with 48 appearances across the season, proving his consistency and durability at the top level.

PSG are set to benefit from any sale as well, holding a 20% stake in any profit Frankfurt make from selling Ekitike — meaning the French giants could pocket a decent sum if the striker seals a big-money move.

For now, the forward is focused on representing France in the U23 Euros this summer, hoping to impress national boss Didier Deschamps enough to earn a senior call-up. But with interest heating up fast, a decision on his club future could come sooner rather than later.