Frankfurt’s €100m stance on Ekitiké forces Chelsea and Liverpool into rethink

Premier League giants tracking Ekitiké amid valuation warning

Eintracht Frankfurt’s young star Hugo Ekitiké has caught the attention of Chelsea and Liverpool, while the club’s firm stance of rejecting any offer under €100 million has added more intensity to the summer transfer window. Due to a back injury, the striker has not been included in the France U21 squad, but he is expected to return to the spotlight in a pre-season friendly against Fulham.

From Reims to PSG to Frankfurt: a forward’s journey

The 22-year-old French forward of Eintracht Frankfurt, Hugo Ekitiké, has become one of the most talked-about names of this summer’s transfer market. After emerging as a standout talent at Reims, Ekitiké earned a move to Paris Saint-Germain. However, his stint in Paris fell short of expectations, leading to a transfer to Frankfurt in the winter of 2024. In the first half of the season, he formed an effective attacking duo with Omar Marmoush. After Marmoush’s move to Manchester City in January, Ekitiké stepped up as the team’s main striker.

Breakout season: goals, assists and leading the line

This season, Hugo Ekitiké featured in 48 matches across all competitions for Frankfurt, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists.

Coach Toppmöller’s trust and tactical fit

Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Dino Toppmöller is highly satisfied with the player’s performance. After the match against Leipzig, he described Ekitiké as “a striker with top-level attributes.” Toppmöller particularly highlighted the striker’s quick adaptation to the system after Marmoush’s departure: “Ekitiké injects energy and unpredictability into our attacking play, and he adapted to our system quickly.”

Coaching development and player growth

Toppmöller has also shared remarks about Ekitiké in various matches throughout the season, adopting a developmental approach to his coaching. After the Midtjylland match, he said:

“He should focus on the fundamentals of the game. Some of those backheel passes surprised us. Sometimes they’re acceptable, but in dangerous moments, we don’t want risk.”

Following the DFB-Pokal win against Braunschweig, he added in a more humorous tone:

“He’s a smart little operator – his dribbling, passing, and technical quality really make a difference on the pitch.”

Sky Germany: Frankfurt won’t negotiate below €100m

Throughout the season, Ekitiké has attracted particular interest from Chelsea and Liverpool. Eintracht Frankfurt have made their position crystal clear. Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg reported that the club has set a minimum price tag of €100 million for Ekitiké.

Krösche: “We’re not obliged to sell him”

Eintracht Frankfurt CEO Markus Krösche summed up the club’s position in an interview with Wiesbadener Kurier:

“If our valuation isn’t met, Hugo stays with us. We’re not obliged to sell him.”

Where Chelsea and Liverpool currently stand

According to Sky Germany, Chelsea made an inquiry about the player’s conditions a few weeks ago but have not taken any official steps yet. Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that Liverpool would only consider another big investment like this if several player sales occur, especially following a potential €150 million outlay on Florian Wirtz.

L’Équipe: injury keeps Ekitiké out of France squads

According to L’Équipe’s 4 June 2025 report, Ekitiké was not called up to the France senior national team and will not be part of the U21 European Championship squad due to a back injury he sustained earlier in June. The player arrived at the Clairefontaine camp with back pain and was withdrawn after the complaints persisted. This limits clubs’ chances to watch him in competitive matches.

Fulham friendly: a live test for suitors

Frankfurt are expected to play a pre-season friendly against Premier League side Fulham during their summer camp. This match could offer interested clubs a valuable opportunity to scout Ekitiké live.

Frankfurt's line in the sand remains firm

The club’s current position is clear: offers under €100 million will not be considered, and the player is expected to feature in their Champions League squad.