Chelsea Gaining Ground in Race for Hugo Ekitike as Liverpool Risk Missing Out
Liverpool may fall short in the pursuit of Hugo Ekitike this summer, with Chelsea making significant progress toward securing the striker.
Both Premier League sides are reportedly in the market for a forward, with the Reds potentially looking to move on from either Diogo Jota or Darwin Nunez. Similarly, Chelsea could part ways with Christopher Nkunku as they restructure their attacking options.
At present, the Blues appear to have the upper hand over Liverpool in the chase for Ekitike.
Chelsea Accelerate Efforts to Sign Ekitike Ahead of Liverpool
Liverpool’s need to reinforce their forward line has been apparent throughout the 2024/25 season. Mohamed Salah has shouldered much of the responsibility in terms of goal contributions, while Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz have delivered solid performances.
Concerns remain, however, over Jota and Nunez. Jota could still play a role under new boss Arne Slot if he impresses in pre-season, but Nunez seems increasingly out of sync with the Dutch manager’s tactical expectations.
As a result, Reds supporters are anxiously awaiting news on Ekitike, with Frankfurt reportedly open to offers. According to Florian Plettenberg on X (formerly Twitter), Chelsea are actively working to wrap up a deal, though Liverpool remain in contention.
Alternative Targets: Gyokeres, Sesko, Osimhen
It’s unclear how long Liverpool will stay in the race, especially with the initial transfer window closing on June 10 and reopening on June 16. That timeframe might allow the club to secure targets like Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz before refocusing efforts on the Frankfurt forward.
Should Chelsea win the race for Ekitike, Liverpool’s recruitment team still has other options. Arsenal are reportedly targeting Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United are linked with Viktor Gyokeres, and Victor Osimhen is also available, albeit likely at a premium.
Here are their 2024/25 league stats (via Sofascore):
Player Goals xG xG per 90
Victor Osimhen 26 23.8 0.93
Viktor Gyokeres 39 30.95 0.99
Hugo Ekitike 15 21.67 0.84
While Osimhen and Gyokeres have impressive numbers, it’s worth noting that both play in leagues considered less competitive than the one Ekitike currently features in—suggesting their stats may dip in the Premier League.