Both Arsenal and Manchester United have reportedly been monitoring French youngster Hugo Ekitike in recent times. The teenage talent has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Ligue 1 outfit Reims, netting nine times in just 21 appearances this term.
Newcastle United and Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the 19-year-old, who is reportedly available for £13million at the end of the current campaign - a potential bargain considering his sky-high potential.
According to ESPN, the Gunners are keen to bring Ekitike to the Emirates Stadium this summer but new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is also ready to make a move. With that in mind, as some Gunners fans won't be aware of the rising star, football.london has taken a brief look at his career so far.
Early career
The 6ft 2ins striker has risen rapidly since his professional debut in 2020. He began his career at Cormontreuil FC before signing for Reims youth set-up in 2013.
After coming through the academy at Reims, Ekitike made his debut with the club in a 3-1 loss to FC Lorient in October of 2020. In January of 2021, he was loaned out to Danish Superliga club Vejle Boldklub for the rest of the season, where he found the net three times in 11 appearances.
But this season is where he's really started to have an impact, with 10 goals in 23 appearances across all competitions.
Mbappe comparisons
As a result of his good form, according to The Daily Mail, he has drawn comparisons to Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe, who is very much the face of French football at the moment, and someone Ekitike wants to emulate. "Over the last few years, he is the player I watch the most, who inspires me, and not necessarily only on the pitch," he told Foot Mercato, via our colleagues at the Chronicle.
"That's what it means to be a top-level player and that's what I aspire to become." Ekitike is very much a player to keep an eye on in the future, and if he continues at the rate he's going, he'll have plenty more suitors soon enough.
