Arsenal ‘are in the running’ to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike, it has been claimed. Mikel Arteta’s side are expected to dip into the transfer market for a new centre forward this summer after failing to strengthen that position in January.
The Gunners, who lost Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace for £25million last August, opted against signing a striker in that transfer window and it left them light. Kai Havertz attempted to fill the burden and impressed, scoring 15 goals in 34 matches before he suffered a season-ended hamstring injury, while Gabriel Jesus hit some form around Christmas time but tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) last month.
With Havertz and Jesus out, Arsenal do not have a recognised No.9 available. Leandro Trossard started in the central role against Leicester City on Saturday, while Mikel Merino came on up front and scored twice.
Although Arsenal can’t sign anymore players – unless they are a registered free agent – until the end of the season, they have ramped up their plans to sign a forward this summer. And according to Foot Mercato, Etitike is on their transfer shopping list, with Liverpool and West Ham also interested.
But who is Etikite?
Born in Reims, France, the 22-year-old came through the ranks at his boyhood club and made his senior debut against Lorient in October 2020. He spent the second half of that season on loan at Vejle Boldklub in Denmark before cementing himself in the Reims starting XI.
Midway through the 2021/22 season, Ekitike rejected a January move to Newcastle United and opted to stay at Reims until the summer. He ended up scoring 11 times in 26 appearances that campaign, and it was a run of form that earned him a blockbuster £29million move to Paris Saint-Germain.
It’s safe to say Ekitike’s switch to Paris did not go to plan. He scored just four goals in 33 matches for the Ligue 1 champions before leaving the club to join Frankfurt on loan in January 2024. After a successful stint in the Bundesliga, Frankfurt opted to make Ekitike’s move permanent in the summer.
Since then, Ekitike has hit a sensational run of form, firing in 17 goals in 31 games so far this season. He is the sixth top scorer in the Bundesliga with 12 to his name, behind Harry Kane (21), former teammate Omar Marmoush (17), Tim Kleindienst (14), Patrick Schick (14) and Jonathan Burkardt (13).
A sharp finisher, Ekitike is a strong dribbler, likes a long shot and has excellent heading ability. As well as this, Ekitike is superb at holding the ball up and can bring others into play. It’s clear that he would improve the Gunners’ forward line should the club decide to pursue a move in the summer.
