Sport
Ekitike could prove value to those clubs on the hunt for a striker
This summer, strikers are going to be in high demand. All the top clubs are chasing them; but the trouble is, there aren’t enough to go round. These days, strikers are like gold dust, more so than ever, and the it will be an extremely interesting market, seeing who will go where and for how much.
We all know football works in cycles, and after a tactical phase when traditional front men became less common at the very top level. That was quite a strange development, because scoring goals has always been the aim of the game. But wingers and midfielders have become more reliable sources over the past 10 or 15 years, which is probably a lot to do with the legacy of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s rivalry. Traditional goalscorers are rarer than ever, but will always have a place, and the same truth still applies; they cost the most and are often paid the most.
In fact, the lack of elite strikers will only increase their prices. Numerous clubs will need to get creative this summer.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United are just a few who are expected to be looking to bolster in attack at the end of the season. Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak has truly announced himself as one of the best around this season, but with successive 20-goal Premier League campaigns under his belt and three years on his contract at St James’ Park, it is extremely unlikely the Magpies will sanction a sale. In fact, with Champions League qualification a growing possibility, they are set to open talks over a new deal.
Other options being linked with all those clubs include Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. But perhaps the most interesting name is that of Hugo Ekitike; the striker looking to end Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of salvation in this season’s Europa League. The 22-year-old Frenchman has impressed scouts across Europe since he broke out at Reims, but after a difficult start to his career, everything is beginning to fall into place for him.
Paris Saint-Germain are likely to turn the head of any young Frenchman, especially in its current iteration, built on the idea of promoting domestic youth talent. But signing for them initially on loan in January 2023 was a bad move for Ekitike; he shunned interest from a freshly taken over Newcastle, ironically setting them on the course towards signing Isak. It wasn’t that Ekitike wasn’t good enough for PSG, but competition was always going to be fierce, and he was yet to fully prove himself. Yes, both Messi and Neymar left Paris the summer he joined permanently, but two other exciting strikers, Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani joined, as did Ousmane Dembele. He played just one league game under Luis Enrique last season before heading to Frankfurt in January.
It was a slow burn there, too, but he impressed enough to sign permanently. This time, that was the catalyst for everything coming together; he’s averaged one in every two Bundesliga games, looking to guide the club into the Champions League, as well as a further four in the Europa League, including in the first leg of their semi-final with Spurs last week.
He has the finishing prowess of a natural striker, but the physique and dynamism of a versatile forward, able to play across the front. That versatility has come into play a lot since January; after Omar Marmoush’s move to Manchester City, a system change has landed a lot more responsibility on Ekitike’s shoulders. He now leads the line, but is something of a modern take on the traditional number 9; fearsome in front of goal, but rather than physical strength and power, his threat is caused by movement, link-up play and excellent close control.
Pace and intelligence make him a threat on the counter attack, and his combination play will help him fit into possession-based teams. Ekitike is different to the likes of Gyokeres and Sesko but could be just as effective; this has been the first season he has been able to show his true potential, but it was clear he could be this player at Reims. His experience at PSG only delayed his development, but at 22 years of age, he is still mouldable and potentially a cheaper option than others in the frame for these clubs.
Whatever happens, it doesn’t seem like Ekitike will be in Frankfurt for long. First up on his agenda is knocking Spurs out of the Europa League and winning the trophy for the second time in four years for the club. But in Marmoush, Luka Jovic and Sebastien Haller, there is history of big money moves for their strikers.
Yes, there is an element of risk, but any club looking for a striker could find excellent value in a move for Ekitike.
