Arsenal have reportedly joined the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, adding another layer of intrigue to the summer transfer window. The Gunners are said to be in pursuit of the France U21 international, joining a host of other Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea, in expressing interest.

Arsenal's interest in Ekitike comes as their pursuits of other attacking targets, namely Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, have seemingly stalled. Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has publicly doubled down on the club's asking price for Gyokeres, while progress on a deal for Sesko has also been slow. With these potential deals proving difficult to finalize, Arsenal's sporting director, Andrea Berta, has identified Ekitike as a viable alternative.

Ekitike, who is 23 years old, has revitalized his career since joining Eintracht Frankfurt. After a difficult spell with Paris Saint-Germain, he moved to the Bundesliga club in January 2024 on an initial loan. His impressive performances led to a permanent move, and in the 2024/25 season, he scored 22 goals in all competitions. This resurgence has attracted the attention of several top European clubs, who believe he still possesses the potential to become a world-class striker.

However, acquiring Ekitike's services will not be easy. Eintracht Frankfurt are reportedly demanding around €100 million (£85m) for the striker. This could prove to be a stumbling block for Arsenal, who are also exploring other attacking options and may be unwilling to spend such a significant sum on Ekitike. Despite the high valuation, Ekitike's current market value is estimated at €75m, a figure that has nearly quadrupled in the last year. In 48 competitive appearances for Frankfurt last season, he also contributed 12 assists.

Liverpool's interest in Ekitike is also well-established. However, reports suggest that they may need to sell Darwin Nunez before making a concrete move for the Frankfurt striker. Manchester United are also in the mix, with reports suggesting they have already held talks with Ekitike's agent. Chelsea's interest adds further competition for Arsenal.

The Gunners are also reportedly interested in Cristhian Mosquera and are expected to confirm the signings of Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga this week. Mikel Arteta is said to be keen on adding a striker to his squad this summer, with Benjamin Sesko remaining a preferred choice amidst interest in Gyokeres and Ekitike. Arsenal are also reportedly rivalling Tottenham for Eberechi Eze.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining Ekitike's next destination. Arsenal will need to weigh their options carefully and decide whether he is the right fit for their squad and budget. With several other top clubs also vying for his signature, the race for Hugo Ekitike promises to be one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the summer.