Manchester City are looking to provide Liverpool and Arsenal with competition for the thrilling signing of Hugo Ekitike, it has been claimed.<\/p>\n
Liverpool<\/a> are on the hunt for a new centre-forward as Arne Slot does not see Darwin Nunez as a reliable goalscorer at the top level. The Reds have been tipped to sell Nunez for a huge loss-making price<\/a> to fund their next striker signing.<\/p>\n Arsenal, meanwhile, have needed an elite striker for some time. Their new sporting director, Andrea Berta, looks set to rectify the issue this summer as Mikel Arteta has been forced to operate without Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in recent months.<\/p>\n Both Liverpool and Arsenal have identified Eintracht Frankfurt ace Ekitike<\/a> as an ideal alternative to Alexander Isak, who will be too expensive to sign from Newcastle United in the summer.<\/p>\n Ekitike has moved on from his underwhelming spell with Paris Saint-Germain and is now one of the deadliest No 9s in Europe, having scored 22 goals in 46 matches for Frankfurt this term.<\/p>\n But Liverpool and Arsenal must watch out for Man City<\/a> in the transfer pursuit, if the latest reports are to be believed.<\/p>\n German outlet Bild<\/a> claim City\u2019s new director of football Hugo Viana has burst into the race for Ekitike and has opened discussions with his agent to try and tee up a sensational move.<\/p>\n It is reported that Manchester United and Chelsea are also in the mix, though City and Arsenal are leading the charge as things stand.<\/p>\n Frankfurt feel they are in a very strong negotiating position as Ekitike is tied down until June 2029, while they are also expected to qualify for next season\u2019s Champions League, currently sitting third in the Bundesliga.<\/p>\n These factors, coupled with the amount of clubs chasing the Frenchman, mean it could take as much as\u00a0\u20ac100million (\u00a385m \/ $113m) to prise him away from Frankfurt.<\/p>\n DON\u2019T MISS\u00a0<\/strong>\u2b07<\/p>\n Euro giant advancing to snatch TWO Man City stars with green light granted<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Stunning Trent Alexander-Arnold to Barcelona claim emerges despite Real Madrid agreement<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Liverpool hoping Man City link comes to nothing<\/strong><\/p>\n While City likely will have been impressed by Ekitike\u2019s lethal performances this season, it would be a surprise if such a move went ahead.<\/p>\n Erling Haaland is their first-choice striker and will be for years to come, while City spent\u00a0\u20ac75m in January to sign Marmoush from Frankfurt, making him their replacement for Julian Alvarez.<\/p>\n Ekitike would know that by joining City he would likely be signing up for less game time.<\/p>\n Sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk that Ekitike is on Liverpool\u2019s radar<\/a> as they aim to take some of the goalscoring burden off Mohamed Salah\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n The Reds have sent scouts to watch him in action<\/a> on several occasions this campaign.<\/p>\n Liverpool are looking to make a splash in the summer market \u2013 to build on their title-winning season \u2013 and Ekitike could be signed as part of a huge \u00a3175m triple deal<\/a>.<\/p>\n City handed setback; Liverpool star wanted<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, City are finding it tough to replace Kevin De Bruyne with a truly elite No 10.<\/p>\n After giving up on two top targets<\/a>, they are now looking at Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest instead.<\/p>\n