Chelsea ‘strongly considering’ Hugo Ekitike transfer as Enzo Maresca lines up new striker for Champions League
CHELSEA are keeping tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Blues punched their ticket to next season's Champions League after beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 on Sunday at City Ground, which sealed fourth place in the Premier League table.
And the West Londoners' qualification to Europe's elite competition has given them a massive financial boost in terms of PSR flexibility for the summer market.
And according to The Independent, the Prem giants have discussed a move for Ekitike, 22, who is very high on their wish list.
Chelsea are actively looking for a striker to spearhead their attack in the Champions League and are "strongly considering" the French star.
However, Enzo Maresca's side will have to splash an astronomical fee with the forward rated at around €100million (£83.9m).
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The centre-forward shone bright this season with Eintracht as he amassed 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances.
The France Under-21 international joined Frankfurt in 2024 following a loan stint from Paris Saint-Germain last term.
Ekitike counts a total of 26 goals and 14 assists in 64 appearances with the Bundesliga outfit.
Chelsea, though, are also keeping tabs on other options, such as Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and Ipswich Town's Liam Delap.
Sunsport revealed the London giants are very big on Delap and are willing to meet his £30m release clause.
The England Under-21 international is also keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.
The striker favouring a link-up with Chelsea boss Maresca, who was his academy coach at Manchester City.
The club's current recruitment director Joe Shields was also instrumental in Delap's move from Derby to Man City's academy in 2019.
