Ekitike transfer: Who are favourites out of Liverpool and Chelsea?
Arne Slot is keen to get the majority of his transfer business at Liverpool done at the start of the window.
The Reds have already gained the services of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and Slot is now turning his attention to the next one.
There are several areas where the Merseyside outfit are looking to add to their options, but a key priority is up front, with Darwin Nunez looking set to leave Anfield.
Liverpool in the race for Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool certainly can’t complain about the season they have had, but with the competition around them set to strengthen, they can’t afford to rest on what they have either.
There was a lack of consistency in the final third for the Reds this season and if Slot wants to push that bit further, having a new option is essential.
Furthermore, Nunez’s disappointing campaign means he is likely to exit Merseyside during the transfer window, meaning back-up is necessary.
One man on the Liverpool radar was said to be Hugo Ekitike, with Chelsea and Arsenal also credited with interest.
However, according to Christian Falk (31 May), it is the Blues who have taken pole position in the race for his services as he wrote: “Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal were previously considered the top favourites for Hugo Ekitike. But the three-man competition has now turned into a two-club battle.
“At the moment, Chelsea, who qualified for the Champions League in fourth place, hold the best cards in the Ekitike poker. Chelsea are already in dialogue with the player’s side and could soon get serious. But Liverpool are also still in the race, despite the upcoming record transfer of Florian Wirtz.”
Slot can poach Ekitike
There may have been contact made by Chelsea at this stage, but Liverpool are not out of the race for the striker’s services and should be willing to get into the mix to strike a deal.
The 22-year-old has shown promise in the Bundesliga and would come into a position where the boss certainly needs a refresh.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 33 | 15 | 8 |
Although Liverpool won the Premier League title by some way this season, there were plenty of suggestions that had their competitors not suffered with injuries, it would have been a closer run race.
This gives the Dutchman the motivation he needs for his side already next term, eager to prove that the success of this campaign was no fluke, but he needs the squad to manage the expectations.
If the Reds could go in and gain Ekitike’s services from under Chelsea’s nose, it would be a clear statement from Slot that Liverpool is the place to be and his side are ready to defend their status as champions.