Axel Hellmann, the spokesperson for Eintracht Frankfurt’s board, has suggested that the highly sought-after striker Hugo Ekitike may be heading to Real Madrid this summer, which could pose a significant setback for Arsenal and Liverpool in their transfer pursuits. Ekitike has excelled in the Bundesliga this season after struggling to establish himself at Paris Saint-Germain.
He has formed an impressive partnership with Omar Marmoush during the first half of the season and has embraced greater responsibility following Marmoush’s transfer to Manchester City in January.
This season, Ekitike has netted 22 goals across all competitions, including 15 in the Bundesliga.
Tottenham Hotspur quickly recognized the young striker’s formidable skills when he scored shortly after the start of their Europa League quarter-final match, and several other Premier League clubs have likely been monitoring his performances against Spurs.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle are reportedly competing to secure Ekitike’s signature this summer, although Frankfurt is reportedly seeking a fee of up to €100 million (€86.5 million) for his transfer.
Frankfurt chief Hellmann is seemingly resigned to losing another prolific goalscorer at the end of the season, recently telling Jan Age Fjortoft:
“I would love for him to play for us for the next ten years. But we’re all realistic.
Hugo is one of the players with the highest potential in Europe. He’s only 22 years old and has a great future ahead of him. The market is the market.”
However, Hellman also noted that it’s not inevitable that he would end up in the Premier League despite the strong interest from English shores.”
There may be other markets he’s opened up with his performances… I’m sure he has what it takes to fit in with other clubs as well.
Clubs a little further south in Europe,” he added.
That, of course, takes you to the Mediterranean, with BILD suggesting that Hellman can only mean one thing: a move to Real Madrid.
While Los Blancos are one of few clubs outside of the Premier League capable of financing a deal, the club’s purchase of Kylian Mbappe last summer means they aren’t desperate for a starting number nine.
The Spanish behemoths will surely look to commit their resources to other positions this summer.