Transfer News: Chelsea could face tough competition from Borussia Dortmund for Hugo Ekitike
According to German outlet Bild (h/t Mirror), Borussia Dortmund have entered the race to sign Chelsea target Hugo Ekitike. Newcastle United are also said to have an interest in the 19-year-old’s services.
The teenager has been a sensation for Stade de Reims in the relatively early stages of his career. The French professional footballer has scored 10 goals and provided three assists in 24 matches across all competitions for Les rouges et blancs to date.
His performances have caught the interest of clubs outside the French top flight and it is believed that the Magpies almost secured a real for a fee of £33m but Ekitike snubbed the move to stay with his boyhood club till the end of the season.
It is now being understood that Dortmund have joined the race to secure the services of the youngster and this could be an added headache if Chelsea wants to lure the teenager to Stamford Bridge. This is a crucial stage in the career of any young budding footballer and the next few years could be pivotal for his long-term development.
BVB have been consistently known to develop young players into potential world-beaters and this could be a great temptation for any young footballer like Ekitike. The German club have helped develop some exciting prospects such as Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho and Erling Haalandamong others in the last few years.
Should Chelsea pursue Hugo Ekitike?
The French striker is still in the nascent stages of his footballing career and it is highly unlikely that would disturb the first-team setup to a great extent. That being said the club has a great youth development system that has produced some exceptional talent recently with the likes of Mason Mount and Reece James forming a pivotal part of the senior squad.
A long-term project
The 19-year-old can be viewed as a great long-term asset and the Stamford Bridge outfit could help mould and structure him to their requirements. A top club like Chelsea competes on several fronts in England and Europe throughout the season and Ekitke could actually help add some more depth to the squad.
The Blues have been witnessing some struggles upfront despite spending huge sums of cash on reinforcements such as Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner. Whilst there would be too much pressure on the young French striker to be a direct replacement for them, if developed in the right manner could provide great competition for a spot up front.
That being said, the West Londoners already have a starlet on the rise in the form of Armando Broja who is having an exceptional season with Southampton and plays in the same position. His performances have already attracted interest from other clubs and Thomas Tuchel could be tempted to bring him back to Stamford Bridge at the end of his loan spell.
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- Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi is still weighing up a switch from England to Ghana
- Chelsea considering a move for former Barcelona director Ramon Planes
With interest from the likes of Borussia Dortmund, signing the budding teenager could be a tricky affair. Whilst bagging him could be a great acquisition it seems as though the club should rather spend this money on reinforcements in other parts of the pitch.