Arsenal sent scouts to watch transfer target Hugo Ekitike play against Tottenham on Thursday night, Arsenal Insider understands.
Ekitike is enjoying an exceptional season for Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 14 goals and registering five assists in the Bundesliga thus far.
This form has prompted interest from a number of clubs throughout Europe, including the Gunners, who view the Frenchman as a potential alternative to Alexander Isak.
Ekitike has emerged as a clear target for Arsenal in recent weeks, with Frankfurt likely to sanction the striker’s departure this summer.
Arsenal sent scouts to watch Hugo Ekitike against Tottenham
It’s well-documented that a striker is Arsenal’s number one priority this summer, with the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Isak the most prominently linked with a switch to N5.
However, the ‘phenomenal’ Ekitike could be a cheaper alternative to these names, and the club are monitoring the player’s progress.
TBR Football’s transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that the Gunners had scouts watching the Frankfurt man play against Tottenham in the Europa League on Thursday night, with the North London club’s hierarchy eager to assess him against Premier League defence.
“Arsenal, as we have said, are doing work on their striker options and Hugo Ekitike is one who has impressed them recently – so no shock they have taken the chance to watch him against Spurs – to see him in action against a Premier League defence, is seen as beneficial,” he said.
“I understand that Arsenal have accepted that Alexander Isak is likely to be Liverpool-bound if he leaves, but they were always assessing other options.
“They have checked on Ekitike amongst others, whilst they have also been one of the clubs to ask about Jonathan David – but don’t rule out Benjamin Sesko – they are still very much keen on him.”
News that Isak is likely to be Liverpool-bound will be deflating to Gunners supporters who are desperate to see the Swede ply his trade in Islington.
However, it’ll be reassuring to see they’re preparing a contingency plan in the event that the Newcastle talisman goes to Merseyside.
How did Hugo Ekitike perform against Tottenham?
Ekitike scored a spectacular goal against Spurs in the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week.
The France under-21 international would’ve wished the Arsenal scouts were at that match and not observing his exploits in the second leg.
Frankfurt were beaten and knocked out by the Gunners’ bitter rivals in Germany, courtesy of a penalty from Dominic Solanke.
| Ekitike’s Statistics vs Tottenham | |
| Minutes Played | 90 |
| Shots | 2 |
| Expected Goals per 90 | 0.13 |
| Accurate Passes | 13/18 (72%) |
| Key Passes | 3 |
| Touches | 43 |
| Successful Dribbles | 1/2 (50%) |
Ekitike was poor on the night, struggling to evade Micky van de Ven with his pace and failing to impose his physicality on Cristian Romero.
Only managing two shots and accumulating 0.13 expected goals, it was a night to forget for the 22-year-old.
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