Liverpool dealt transfer blow after Chelsea strike agreement over EPL rivals

Liverpool are keen to add new faces to their side this summer with Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong among those who could be signed but the Reds have stumbled into an issue with another Bundesliga star

Chelsea are not ready to shelve their transfer interest in Hugo Ekitike, despite agreeing a deal to sign Liam Delap. Liverpool manager Arne Slot had already identified the Eintracht Frankfurt striker, with talks progressing over a move.

He was seen as a possible replacement for Darwin Nunez - the Uruguayan striker having been linked with an Anfield exit over the coming months. But it appears that a move to Merseyside is no longer the only option for Ekitike if he wants to make the move to England.

According to Sky in Germany, the forward is being eyed by Premier League rivals Chelsea. It is suggested that the Blues are still pushing for his signing despite also being on the verge of sealing a deal for Liam Delap.

Chelsea have decided to activate a £30m release clause written into his contract at Portman Road. Manchester United were previously credited with an interest but now appear to have fallen behind in the race for Delap.

The former Manchester City forward has enjoyed a productive debut campaign with Ipswich having netted 12 goals despite the club’s instant return to the Championship. Ekitike, 22, has also shone this term having netted on 22 occasions in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Speaking recently, former Frankfurt CEO and current board member, Axel Hellmann, confirmed there was Premier League interest in Ekitike. He said: “I would love to have him at Frankfurt for another ten years, if possible.

“But we are realistic. He is one of the best high-potential players in Europe at the moment and he is only 22. That means he has a great future.

“He is a clever guy. He loves to listen and learn. I would love him to stay another couple of years. But the market is the market and half of the Premier League clubs are interested in signing him.”

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He added: “Besides the Premier League, there are other markets for him that he has opened doors to with his performances. I think he would also fit in other leagues and with big clubs in Southern Europe.”

Ekitike started his career with French side Reims before he made a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain. He was loaned to Frankfurt last term, with the German club activating a permanent option in the deal. He still has four years left to run on his contract.

Away from Ekitike, Liverpool look set to sign two of his Bundesliga colleagues. Jeremie Frimpong has flown to the UK to undergo a medical, while his Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Florian Wirtz has also been identified as a major target.