Arsenal’s search for a striker this summer is proving to be a thorough and meticulous process.
Andrea Berta is pursuing more than one transfer target, a strategy that will be new to Arsenal fans following years of Edu Gaspar making it clear who his number one choice was when it came to negotiations.
The Gunners have been linked with moves for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres for months, however, German outlet BILD are now reporting interest in a move for Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike.
With Mikel Arteta wanting a striker before the club sets off on its pre-season tour of the far east, Arsenal Insider analyses the potential impact on the Arsenal squad should Berta make a move for Ekitike.
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Winners from a potential Hugo Ekitike transfer to Arsenal
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka struggled with injury last season but still managed to rack up 26 goal contributions during his 37 appearances.
There were countless occasions at the Emirates Stadium last campaign where teasing, testing deliveries from Saka came to nothing due to the Gunners lacking in a clinical number nine.
Ekitike has proven that he knows where the goal is with 22 in all competitions last season and would provide Saka with somebody to aim for when taking on his man down the line or cutting inside.
Should the Gunners make their move for the Frankfurt forward, don’t be surprised that Saka’s numbers reach record highs next season.
Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard struggled for Arsenal last season, hampered by an early ankle injury sustained on international duty, the Norwegian failed to live up to his usual standards.
However, Odegaard was praised by Norway’s media during his country’s recent clash with Italy and the midfielder began to show signs of a return to form in the final few matches for the Gunners.
Odegaard thrives for his national team when he has natural centre forwards such as Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth making runs ahead of him.
Ekitike’s movement and pace are two of his biggest strengths and by stretching defenders, space would open for the Arsenal captain to operate in and deliver those killer passes.
Losers from a potential Hugo Ekitike transfer to Arsenal
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz was always going to be fearful of his place in Arteta’s side next season with so much talk of a striker arrival.
Jamie Carragher has backed Havertz to keep his place in the Arsenal team next season but a player with Ekitike’s pace and finishing ability would be hard to stop for the German.
The French star would bring a different dynamic to the attacking threat posed by the Gunners and whilst Havertz would still have a big part to play, he would no longer be the automatic first choice centre forward.
Gabriel Martinelli
There is much speculation surrounding the future of Gabriel Martinelli this summer and Ekitike’s arrival would cast his position into further doubt.
Bayern Munich are interested in Martinelli, alongside Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr as the Gunners look to balance the books with player sales.
Arsenal would only accept a huge offer for Martinelli but with Ekitike’s ability to play down the middle or drift left, it could prove to be the final straw for the Brazilian.
Martinelli impressed at centre forward against Liverpool late in the 2024-25 campaign but would see Ekitike move above him in the pecking order for that role.
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino was one of Arsenal’s unlikely heroes last season after stepping into the auxiliary centre forward role during the club’s injury crisis.
Whilst Merino will be hoping to cement a place in his natural central midfield position next season, Ekitike’s arrival does limit any opportunity of another crack at the advanced role.
Merino has a great relationship with Martin Zubimendi and will be hoping to show that for his club as well as country next season.
It was fun while it lasted having Merino at centre forward but surely any move for Ekitike scuppers the chances of seeing it in the future.
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