Liverpool and Chelsea ‘set to fight it out for £84m-rated Bundesliga star this summer’… as the Premier League giants eye reinforcements in attack

Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly in a race to sign one of the Bundesliga‘s most exciting young forwards.

The champions are thought to be aware of the lingering interest around Darwin Nunez – from Saudi Arabia and Spain – and have looked at replacements for the Uruguayan if a move away materialises.

Meanwhile, it is believed that Chelsea’s priority this summer is to sign a striker and a right-footed winger.

Indeed, the Blues are interested in Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike, according to The Athletic.

The forward – who scored 22 goals in 45 games in all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit this season – is believed to be valued at €100m (£84m).

Frankfurt are notoriously tough negotiators, having forced Manchester City to cough up £63m for Omar Marmoush in January, and in 2023 raked in £80m when they sold Randal Kolo Muani to PSG.

Arne Slot’s side are eyeing a move for Ekitike as they prepare for Darwin Nunez’s potential exit

It is believed that Chelsea’s priority this summer is to sign a striker and a right-footed winger

But Liverpool have also made Ekitike their focus when it comes to attacking targets this summer, as Arne Slot looks to build on his title-winning debut season, as per journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

Mail Sport revealed last month that Ekitike is liked by scouts at the Merseyside club. 

Owners Fenway Sports Group will back Slot to make several signings, with Liverpool prioritising a striker and defensive reinforcements.

Ekitike was Frankfurt’s joint-top scorer in the Bundesliga this season – tied with Marmoush – as he helped Frankfurt to a third-place finish in the league and Champions League qualification for only the second time in their history.

The 22-year-old still has four years remaining on a deal that sees him earn somewhere in the region of £50,000 a week.

Ekitike began his career with Reims before joining PSG on loan in the summer of 2022.

PSG had an option to buy him for £25m, which they took up.

The Frenchman made little impact at the Parc des Princes, scoring just four goals in 33 appearances before joining Frankfurt.