Exclusive: Arsenal have begun negotiations to sign £70m striker who they just watched score a hat-trick…

Arsenal has started negotiations to bring in a £70 million striker, who they just saw net a hat-trick.

Arsenal is in the process of negotiating the signing of a £70 million striker, who they recently witnessed score a hat-trick.

Arsenal has commenced talks to secure a £70 million striker, who they just watched achieve a hat-trick.

Arsenal has initiated discussions to acquire striker Hugo Ekitike, who recently netted a hat-trick, as they seek to stay updated on his status at Eintracht Frankfurt, according to exclusive information from TBR Football.

Since departing Paris Saint-Germain last summer, Ekitike has made a significant impact at Frankfurt, scoring 19 goals in 38 appearances this season, which has attracted interest from clubs including Arsenal.

Frankfurt has gained a reputation for nurturing top-tier forwards in recent years, highlighted by the successes of Randal Kolo Muani and Omar Marmoush—factors that influenced Ekitike’s decision to join the club initially.

While Arsenal continues to monitor Kolo Muani, they are also exploring the possibility of signing the 22-year-old French striker Ekitike as a potential alternative to Alexander Isak.

TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey reports that Arsenal, along with Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa, are all keen to receive updates on Ekitike’s situation.

Premier League teams had shown interest in Ekitike when he transitioned from Reims to PSG in 2023, with Newcastle notably being turned down at that time and continuing to track his progress.

The young forward may now have an opportunity to make a move to England this summer.

During the recent international break, representatives from Arsenal, Liverpool, and Newcastle attended the France U21s’ 5-3 victory over England, primarily to observe Ekitike, who impressed by scoring a hat-trick.

Ekitike showcased his versatility as a scorer in that match, and Frankfurt appears willing to entertain offers for him.

Currently, the Bundesliga club is asking for nearly £70 million for Ekitike, although it is believed they might consider a fee around £60 million, similar to what they received for Marmoush when he transferred to Manchester City.

TBR has been informed that intermediaries have indicated to English clubs that any offer exceeding £50 million would likely be sufficient to secure the striker, especially considering that Frankfurt acquired him from PSG for approximately £15 million last year.

Regarding Ekitike’s preferences, the striker is interested in the prospect of moving to England; however, his representatives are not currently fixated on any specific club.

With the World Cup approaching next year, this could influence Ekitike’s decision, as he is unlikely to join a team where he wouldn’t have regular starting opportunities.

At present, Ekitike has various options available, but a transfer to Arsenal would certainly be attractive to him, especially given his promising performances in Germany.