Hugo Ekitike's Next Club Odds: 2025 Summer Window

Chelsea definitely need to add a striker to their ranks this summer, but £80m on Ekitike would be a massive gamble for both parties. The Blues want young players with high potential, but the fee doesn't leave massive scope for profit down the line, while questions can be asked about the playing time for the player.

The other factor is that the Blues are imminently going to announce the signing of Liam Delap. He's only costing £30m, but would he have agreed to join Chelsea knowing they were looking to add another frontman alongside already having Nicolas Jackson? Nevertheless, they are the odds favourites.

Liverpool could well be in the market for a centre forward this summer, but their need for a goal scorer this summer has reduced with Mo Salah penning a new deal. It could influence how far they're willing to go on a deal. 

That very fact, the transfer fee, is what is being reported as one of the biggest hurdles in any deal here. Rumours suggest a valuation differential of close to £20m between Liverpool and Frankfurt. With Frankfurt having finished third in Bundesliga to secure Champions League football, Ekitike is unlikely to throw his toys out of the pram to force a move. 

That could draw a line under this link for the summer. Of course, if either party moves their line then a deal could be struck. Whilst a player tantrum isn't likely, it's also not likely that he rebuffs Liverpool if granted permission to speak to them.

As we've already discussed, Frankfurt enjoyed a great season last year, with Ekitike a critical part of that. With his progression on an upward trajectory, and the club achieving their goals, the 22-year-old could do worse than continuing his journey where he is.

If you look at Benjamin Sesko as a comparison, who has been courted by Arsenal for two years, this summer isn't going to be his only chance of a big move. He doesn't want to go getting it wrong ahead of a World Cup in 12 months' time either.

If you add two and two, you can create a sum where Ekitike and Arsenal go together. The youngster brings a goal threat and the ability to link play, which is a must-have for Mikel Arteta's centre forward and, of course, Arsenal need a striker.

The issue with this link is that Arsenal have at least two, possibly more, names ahead of Ekitike on their priority list; the number one of whom we have name-checked already in Sesko. So many things will need to happen before this deal remotely becomes a goer. Even at 12/1, the price feels short.