Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Chelsea and Liverpool are both pursuing Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike(Image: undefined via Getty Images)

Chelsea are said to have stolen a march on Liverpool in the race to bring Hugo Ekitike to the Premier League by advancing in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over a deal for the Frenchman.

The Blues are among a number of top-flight sides looking for a new No.9 this summer and, like the newly minted Premier League champions, have set their sights on Ekitike after watching the 22-year-old break the 20-goal barrier for Frankfurt last season.

Liverpool are poised to replace Darwin Nunez with a new frontman as they bid to build on winning the title under Arne Slot in the Dutchman's first season.

And while the Reds may have finished well above Chelsea last term, a new report from L'Equipe has revealed that the Londoners have 'ramped up' their efforts to beat their rivals to a deal for Ekitike.

It's said that Chelsea are now 'clear' in their attempts to sign the former Paris Saint-Germain striker, who has been valued at £60million by Frankfurt.

READ MORE:Transfer news LIVE: Fernandes makes Man Utd decision, Mbeumo latest, Liverpool's Cherki talks and Wirtz approvalREAD MORE:Arsenal and Liverpool get final answer over shock Julian Alvarez transfer

The Blues are still on the lookout for a new marquee striker to spearhead their frontline next season, despite closing in on a £30m deal for Ipswich Town's Liam Delap.

Article continues below

As it stands, Delap, 22, will compete with Nicolas Jackson for a starting spot under Enzo Maresca.

But with the Blues back in the Champions League next year, they are pushing hard to add Ekitike to their growing pool of attackers.

Landing the France Under-21 star would be a huge coup for Chelsea, who finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Europa Conference League in Maresca's maiden campaign.

Ekitike could be on his way to the Premier League this summer(Image: Simon Hofmann/UEFA)

Join the debate!

Let us know here

Axel Hellmann, a Frankfurt board member and the club's former chief executive, recently that confirmed there was strong Premier League interest in Ekitike, speculating that 'half' the clubs in England's top-flight.

But the market is the market and half of the Premier League clubs are interested in signing him.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.

If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

Learn more

£43

£35

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.


For more news relating to Chelsea, visit our sister site Chelsea Latest Live.