Chelsea and Manchester United have both been linked to the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike this summer.
The Blues have already added Liam Delap from Ipswich Town. He scored his first goal for the club during their 3-0 Club World Cup win against ES Tunis. However, reports have suggested that Chelsea want to sign yet another striker.
This could be down to reports that have said that Nicolas Jackson could be sold, following what was a decent year in Blue for the Ivorian international. One such striker who has been touted to join Chelsea is Ekitike from Frankfurt, however, the German club are reluctant to let him leave.
Reports have said that the Bundesliga side have set a mammoth £85m transfer fee for Ekitike, who scored 15 goals in 33 league games for Frankfurt last season. He is also wanted by Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
However, all the interested Premier League teams may have been given a green light to go after the 22-year-old, as reports have suggested that Frankfurt have identified a replacement for Ekitike.
According to Caught Offside, Frankfurt are monitoring Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund, who has generated interest from Napoli, Juventus, and RB Leipzig too. The Danish international is said to be available for around £38m.
With that in mind, it could indicate that Frankfurt are willing to sell Ekitike, as they are keeping tabs on potential replacements. It could be worth Chelsea sending a bid below their £85m asking price to see if the German club would bite.
Which other strikers have Chelsea been linked to?
Ekitike isn’t the only top striker that the Blues are said to be interested in. Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is also a target, he spent last season on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray, and is expected to leave Napoli this summer.
Osimhen has a £63m release clause in his contract, and it has been said that he would like a move to the Premier League. Much like Ekitike, Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal have also been linked with Osimhen.
The Blues have also been linked to signing PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani, who spent last season on loan at Juventus. He is a more realistic signing, as they have less competition to sign the Frenchman.
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