Borussia Dortmund have reportedly joined Chelsea in the race to sign Reims youngster Hugo Ekitike, with the striker tipped for big things in the future.
The 19-year-old has had a breakout season for the Ligue 1 side, scoring nine goals and three assists in just 20 league appearances so far in his debut season in senior football - leading to inevitable comparisons to former Monaco star Kylian Mbappe.
Such is his promise, a number of clubs have been linked with a move for the youngster, with Premier League rivals Newcastle United pushing hard to sign him back in the January transfer window.
A move never materialised for the Magpies, with an agreement reached between the two clubs, but the player wished to stay until the end of the season with the French side.
In the midst of Eddie Howe missing out on the youngster in the last window, the Blues may have their opportunity to pounce.
Foot Mercato reported back in January that Thomas Tuchel’s side had been in contact with Reims over a potential move in the summer rather than during the winter transfer window.
The Ligue 1 club have set a valuation of €40million (£33.5million) to land the striker at the end of the season. The move could represent some future-proofing for the Blues, signing a player for after Romelu Lukaku’s prime.
However, the influence of the up and coming Armando Broja, who is thriving on-loan at Southampton, should not be ignored either.
However, if Tuchel does wish to sign the 19-year-old, there will be continental suitors to battle with.
According to SportBILD, Borussia Dortmund are also interested in Ekitike, viewing him as a potential successor to Erling Haaland.
Haaland, 21, has been linked with a move to some of Europe’s top clubs for the upcoming summer, with a reported release clause in his contract that would allow him to leave Dortmund.
Ekitike would fit in with the Bundesliga club’s methods, with the side famously signing young players and making them into stars in the same mould of a Haaland or a Jadon Sancho.
Whether the Blues will make the jump to signing Ekitike in the summer remains to be seen, especially with some promising youth prospects of their own coming through.
