Arsenal, West Ham & Liverpool 'in the running' for 17-goal striker as 'door not closed' to summer transfer
Arsenal, West Ham and Liverpool have all been linked with an in-form striker ahead of the summer transfer window
Arsenal are preparing to host West Ham at the Emirates Stadium this weekend in a fixture that could have big ramifications on the Premier League title race. Liverpool are the current leaders but face a trip to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
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The Gunners recently hammered City 5-1 in North London but Pep Guardiola’s side have proven less vulnerable at home after beating Newcastle United 4-0 in their last league outing. Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a favour from his old mentor Guardiola, but his Arsenal side first need to ensure they collect maximum points against the Hammers.
Both London rivals have been linked with a new striker ahead of the summer transfer window. Arsenal’s need to bolster their options have been highlighted in recent weeks after Kai Havertz was ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury - that follows Gabriel Jesus also being ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
Meanwhile, the Hammers have signed Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion to give Graham Potter more options in attack but come the summer they will be keen to make a permanent signing happen.
Arsenal and West Ham eye Ekitike
According to reports in France from Foot Mercato, Arsenal, West Ham and Liverpool are ‘in the running’ to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. The 22-year-old is said to be available for an eye-watering £66m in the summer of 2026 but the ‘door is not closed’ for a transfer to happen at the end of this season. The player is under contract in Frankfurt until the summer of 2029, with the Bundesliga club only signing him last summer. He joined in a deal worth up to £16.5m so Frankfurt are looking to make a big profit on him.
West Ham’s interest, according to the report, pre-dates his move to Frankfurt and it appears the Irons have not given up on the idea of signing him. This season he has 17 goals and six assists across 32 appearances in the Bundesliga, Europa League and DFP-Pokal for Eintracht.
The 22-year-old started his career with Reims before earning a move to Paris-Saint Germain in 2023 after an initial loan spell with the club. He spent part of last campaign on loan with Frankfurt, however, before completing a permanent switch.
Who else are Arsenal and West Ham targeting?
The Gunners have been credited with interest in RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko and Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak. Either player will not come cheap but it has been reported in recent days that Newcastle could lower than asking price for Isak if they fail to qualify for the Champions League. West Ham had looked at signing Ajax player Brian Brobbey on loan in January but the Dutch side were only keen on a permanent exit.