-
FEATURE
- 2 hours ago
Chelsea boost in €100m transfer battle: BlueCo can unleash SECRET WEAPON
Robin Bairner
- 4 Jun 2025 06:50 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea may be close to securing the signing of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, but the Blues are going all in for another €100 million forward, and while they don’t want to pay that type of money, BlueCo have a card up their sleeve to play.
Delap is set to join Chelsea as the club’s first major signing of the summer, despite deals being in place for youngsters like Kendry Paez and Willian Estevao to arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer.
But the Blues want more firepower and are targeting a move for Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward Hugo Ekitike.
Current ETV
Hugo Ekitiké
F (C)
E. Frankfurt
Hugo Ekitiké
F (C)
E. Frankfurt
ETV Range
€52M - €63.5M
The Bundesliga side have slapped a price tag of €100m on the former PSG striker, with the Champions League winners having a 20% sell-on fee for the player they allowed to leave for just €16.5m a year ago. Ekitike has since been a roaring success, netting 22 goals in the previous campaign and seeing his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) balloon to €57.7m.
Chelsea are unwilling to pay Frankfurt’s excessive demand for Ekitike in cash, but a possibility has opened up that might still allow them to sign the 22-year-old.
BlueCo’s ownership of Strasbourg could once again benefit the Premier League giants. Frankfurt have one eye on Sweden international winger Sebastian Nanasi, who has an ETV of €19m after an impressive debut season in Ligue 1, FussballTransfers reports.
A deal could be struck between BlueCo and the German side that could see Ekitike move to Chelsea at a reduced price, but with a sweetener of Frankfurt being given preferential treatment in a move for Nanasi. With Borussia Dortmund hot on the trail of the Swede, this situation could suit everyone.
Chelsea to sign THIRD Strasbourg star?
Chelsea are also rumoured to be chasing a third Strasbourg player.
Mamadou Sarr is hotly tipped to join Enzo Maresca’s side before the FIFA Club World Cup while Emanuel Emegha is set to agree a move to Chelsea for the 2026/27 season.
But now L’Equipe reports that Ismael Doukoure could complete an immediate move to Stamford Bridge, too.
Starting as a defensive midfielder last season, he switched to a centre-back role and played an important part in Strasbourg’s European qualification.
Doukoure is out of contract at the end of next season and pushed away from the BlueCo structure last summer. With interest still present from the Bundesliga, there is no guarantee that Chelsea will be able to sign him in what would be a frustrating blow.
Football transfer news headlines today
Chelsea Transfer News Today: Next signing close as €100m deal ACCELERATES
Victor Osimhen transfer CONFIRMED by Nigeria boss
Man Utd deal REIGNITED as decision made on record transfer
CONFIRMED: Nico Williams receives mega salary offer
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
