Eintracht Frankfurt’s CEO, Markus Krösche, has sent a clear message to clubs interested in Hugo Ekitiké: unless their hefty asking price is met, the striker is going nowhere this summer.
Ekitiké initially formed a formidable partnership with Omar Marmoush during the first half of last season.
However, following Marmoush’s move to Manchester City in January, Ekitiké stepped up, helping Frankfurt secure a third-place finish in the Bundesliga.
The 2024–25 season was a standout for the French striker, who notched 15 goals and provided eight assists, contributing significantly to an improved Frankfurt side that will compete in the Champions League next year.
Given Ekitiké’s impressive form and the demand for strikers among Europe’s top clubs, he has become a hot topic in the transfer market this summer, with Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea expressing interest.
However, Krösche has made it clear that for either club to acquire Ekitiké, they must meet Frankfurt’s asking price of €100 million (£85.3 million, $115.9 million).
“If the price isn’t right, then he will stay with us. We don’t have to sell Hugo,” he stated in an interview with Wiesbadener Kurier.
Chelsea inquired about the terms of a potential deal a couple of weeks back, but they have since signed Liam Delap.
Meanwhile, Liverpool has secured a €150 million (£135.7 million, $184.3 million) deal with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz, making them unlikely to pursue another costly transfer without first managing some key departures.
Ekitiké has been sidelined during the June international break due to a back injury and will miss the U21 European Championships.
This limits his visibility to scouts this summer, although Frankfurt has a pre-season friendly lined up against Fulham from the Premier League.