Chelsea still want Ekitike transfer despite Delap deal | OneFootball

Chelsea’s imminent signing of Liam Delap will not impact the club’s pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike.

The West Londoners are closing in on the £30m signing of Delap, with the forward turning down interest from rival suitors to join Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca was keen to reunite with the Ipswich Town forward, after working with the 22-year-old at Manchester City. Delap, who scored 12 league goals despite Ipswich’s relegation from the Premier League, has a £30m relegation release clause.

Despite that deal, Chelsea remain keen to sign Ekitike. Sky Germany are reporting that the arrival of Delap does not alter Chelsea’s pursuit of the Frankfurt forward, as the Blues rival Liverpool for his signing.

Frankfurt value Ekitike at €100m (£84.1m), after a brilliant season in the Bundesliga. Ekitike scored 22 goals in all competitions and provided a further 13 assists to help Frankfurt to Champions League qualification. No player in Germany’s top flight took more shots on goal than Ekitike during the 2024/25 campaign.

He has also netted five times in five caps for France at u-21 level and will represent Les Bleus at this summer’s u-21 European Championship.

The German outfit are under no pressure to sell, with Ekitike contracted until 2029. The 22-year-old joined Frankfurt from Paris Saint-Germain on a five-year deal last summer for a fee of just €16.5m.

Liverpool are also strongly interested in Ekitike, as the Premier League champions pursue a number nine. Arne Slot wants to bring in a forward with Darwin Nunez expected to leave Anfield. There is interest in the Uruguay international from clubs in Spain and Saudi Arabia.

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