Hugo Ekitike: Arsenal, Liverpool & Man Utd Learn New Record-Breaking Price Tag

Hugo Ekitike’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of spectacular.

The French forward, currently plying his trade at Eintracht Frankfurt, is enjoying the most prolific campaign of his career. His performances this season have earned him widespread attention, with some of Europe’s biggest clubs—Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United—keeping a keen eye on his progress.

However, as the summer transfer window looms, the young striker is no longer being viewed as an affordable target for these clubs. According to recent reports from SPORT BILD, Eintracht Frankfurt have set a hefty price tag for Hugo Ekitike: €100m (£86.5m). This would make him the most expensive departure in the club’s history, surpassing the record set by Randal Kolo Muani, who moved to Paris Saint-Germain for €95m (£82.1m) in 2023. For clubs hoping to secure Ekitike’s signature, this new development will certainly complicate matters.

A Breakout Season for Hugo Ekitike

At just 22 years old, Hugo Ekitike has found himself in the midst of a breakout season. Having joined Frankfurt from French club Stade Reims, the Frenchman has swiftly become one of the most exciting young forwards in European football. His goal-scoring ability has been key to Frankfurt’s impressive campaign in both the Bundesliga and the Europa League, where his pace, finishing, and technical ability have caught the eyes of scouts across Europe.

Hugo Ekitike’s form this season has been exceptional. As of now, he has scored 21 goals, the latest of which came against Heidenheim in the Bundesliga. His performances have helped propel Frankfurt to one of their best league finishes in over three decades. On the European stage, his sharp instincts in front of goal were on full display when he scored the equalizer in the first leg of Frankfurt’s Europa League quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur.

It’s not just the goals that make Hugo Ekitike stand out, though. His all-around play—his ability to hold up the ball, link play, and move intelligently off the ball—has made him an invaluable asset to Frankfurt. It’s no surprise, then, that some of the biggest clubs in Europe are keeping a close eye on him.

Hugo Ekitike is averaging a goal or assist every 103 minutes this season / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

The Premier League Giants in Pursuit

As one of the hottest young forwards in Europe, Hugo Ekitike has attracted significant interest from the Premier League. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United have all reportedly sent scouts to watch him in action, most recently when Frankfurt played Tottenham in the Europa League. These four Premier League clubs, all of whom are in the hunt for a new central striker, are thought to be serious contenders for Hugo Ekitike’s signature.

For Arsenal, the need for a new striker has been clear for some time. Mikel Arteta’s side have been heavily reliant on Gabriel Jesus this season, but there is a sense that they require more depth and quality in the centre-forward position. Hugo Ekitike’s age, style of play, and goal-scoring ability could make him a perfect fit for Arteta’s system.

Liverpool, too, are in desperate need of a new forward, especially with Roberto Firmino’s departure and Sadio Mane’s exit last summer. The Reds have struggled with consistency in their attacking play, and a player like Ekitike could provide them with the clinical edge they need to compete at the top again.

Manchester United’s search for a reliable striker has been well-documented. Erik ten Hag’s side have lacked a top-tier number nine since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, and while players like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have contributed, they are not traditional centre-forwards in the mould that United needs. Hugo Ekitike’s youth, physicality, and potential to develop into a world-class forward make him an attractive option for the Red Devils.

Newcastle United, under the ownership of the Saudi-backed consortium, have been ramping up their spending in the past few transfer windows. With ambitions of establishing themselves as a Champions League contender, a new striker is high on their wishlist, and Hugo Ekitike could fit the bill. The Magpies are known for their intelligent recruitment strategy, and Hugo Ekitike could be a long-term investment for the club.

Frankfurt’s Record-Breaking Price Tag

While Hugo Ekitike’s stock continues to rise, Eintracht Frankfurt are in no rush to part ways with their star forward. The club has become a fixture in European football, qualifying for the Champions League on multiple occasions and regularly competing at the top of the Bundesliga.

After a season of excellent recruitment and with their finances bolstered by the proceeds from previous transfers, Frankfurt are in a strong position to demand top dollar for Ekitike. The club has made significant profits in player sales in recent years, with Randal Kolo Muani’s €95m (£82.1m) move to PSG setting a new record. Now, Frankfurt are looking to break that record again with the sale of Hugo Ekitike, and they will not let him go cheaply.

The reported €100m asking price reflects the financial security Frankfurt now enjoys after qualifying for the Champions League. With the influx of cash from European competition and their ability to secure high-value transfers, the club is willing to hold out for a fee that matches Hugo Ekitike’s growing reputation as one of Europe’s top young talents.

While it was initially believed that Frankfurt might demand a fee closer to €75m (£64.8m), similar to what they received for Kolo Muani, the club has decided to raise the stakes. The €100m asking price is designed to reflect Hugo Ekitike’s importance to the team and his potential to become one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards.

The Financial Landscape and Transfer Market Trends

The transfer market for strikers this summer is expected to be particularly active, with a number of big-name forwards likely to change clubs. With the likes of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, and Dusan Vlahovic potentially on the move, Ekitike finds himself among an elite group of targets. However, his relatively young age, combined with his goal-scoring ability and adaptability, makes him a particularly attractive prospect for clubs looking to invest in a forward for the future.

The €100m price tag, while high, is in line with the escalating prices for top-tier strikers in Europe. As clubs increasingly prioritise goalscoring ability and clinical finishing, the market for central forwards has become highly competitive. For clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle, the price might be steep, but the potential return on investment could be well worth it.

What’s Next for Hugo Ekitike?

As the summer transfer window approaches, it remains to be seen where Hugo Ekitike will end up. His form has made him one of the most exciting young talents in Europe, and his goal-scoring exploits will only add to the interest from top clubs across the continent. For now, his future is in the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt, who are likely to hold out for the €100m asking price.

If Hugo Ekitike does make the move to one of the Premier League giants, it will undoubtedly be a significant step in his career. However, there is still the possibility that he could remain in Germany for another season, as Frankfurt continue to build around their star forward.

For now, clubs across Europe will continue to monitor Ekitike’s progress as they prepare for what is shaping up to be a highly competitive summer transfer window. Whoever wins the race for his signature will be acquiring one of the brightest young talents in European football, and potentially one of the top strikers of the next decade.