Arsenal Face Blow In Race For £84m Striker As Chelsea Make Liam Delap Call

Arsenal have faced a blow in their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, as Chelsea remain the front runners. 

The Blues are trying to land a deal for the French striker, despite the fact that they are close to securing a deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.

Arsenal have seen Ekitike as a target for several months, and he is on their shortlist for a summer transfer alongside the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.

According to Sky Germany Journalist Florian Plettenberg, any Delap transfer for Chelsea will not affect their pursuit of Ekitike, meaning that they are still challenging Arsenal to land the Frankfurt striker.

Plettenberg said: “Liam Delap (22, Ipswich) has reached an agreement with Chelsea. Deal progressing well — Chelsea are on the verge of activating the release clause. Understand: a Delap transfer does NOT affect a potential move for Hugo #Ekitike. Chelsea still pushing for Ekitike.”

🚨🔵 Liam #Delap (22, Ipswich) has reached an agreement with Chelsea. Deal progressing well — Chelsea are on the verge of activating the release clause.

Understand: a Delap transfer does NOT affect a potential move for Hugo #Ekitike. Chelsea still pushing for Ekitike. #CFC… pic.twitter.com/xpno9oR2QO

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 29, 2025

Ekitike is also reportedly a target of Liverpool’s this summer after scoring 15 goals in 33 Bundesliga games for Frankfurt. He is reportedly going to cost £84m, which is the price tag that the German side have reportedly placed on the 22-year-old.

Who could Arsenal sign instead of Ekitike?

It seems that the front-runner to join Arsenal changes every single day, as Viktor Gyokeres did look poised over a move to the Emirates just last week.

However, according to fresh reports, the Gunners are in talks with RB Leipzig over a deal for Benjamin Sesko this summer, estimated to be worth around the £67m mark.

Sesko scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 33 Bundesliga games for Leipzig this season, and aged just 21, has a lot of potential to improve.

Click here to see our stat by stat comparison of Gyokeres and Sesko ahead of the transfer window, and which one Arsenal should try to sign.