Eintracht Frankfurt board spokesman Axel Hellmann has hinted that striker Hugo Ekitike could join Real Madrid this summer despite interest from several Premier League clubs. The 22-year-old French forward has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, including 15 in the Bundesliga.
Frankfurt has reportedly set a €100 million (£86.5 million) asking price for Ekitike. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United have all been monitoring the striker\'s progress since his January breakthrough.
Ekitike\'s stock rose considerably after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League quarterfinals. His production increased significantly after teammate Omar Marmoush departed for Manchester City in January.
Frankfurt Chief Acknowledges Transfer Likelihood
Hellmann acknowledged that retaining Ekitike would be difficult given his performances this season.
\"I would love for him to play for us for the next ten years. But we\'re all realistic. Hugo is one of the players with the highest potential in Europe. He\'s only 22 years old and has a great future ahead of him. The market is the market,\" Hellmann told Jan Age Fjortoft.
The Frankfurt executive also suggested Ekitike might prefer a move to southern Europe rather than England.
\"There may be other markets he\'s opened up with his performances... I\'m sure he has what it takes to fit in with other clubs as well. Clubs a little further south in Europe,\" he added.
German publication BILD interpreted Hellmann\'s comments as a specific reference to Real Madrid. Los Blancos are among the few clubs outside England with the financial capability to meet Frankfurt\'s valuation.
Elite Statistical Profile
Advanced metrics support Ekitike\'s status as an elite talent. According to Michael Imburgio\'s DAVIES model, which measures contributions both with and without the ball, Ekitike ranks fifth among all players in Europe\'s top leagues.
This places the French striker ahead of Barcelona phenom Lamine Yamal and only behind Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, Cole Palmer, and Raphinha.
Via 90min