Arsenal battle Liverpool for  £80m rated 'New Mbappe'

Arsenal in £80m battle to land highly-rated 20-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike 

Arsenal are aiming to start their summer transfer plans with a bang by attempting to land Hugo Ekitike.

The 20-year-old Reims-born French attacker was originally on loan at Eintract Frankfurt from Parisian billionaire moneybags Paris Saint-Germain for the latter half of the 2023-24 season, prior to making the deal permanent in the summer of 2024. 

Fast forward twelve months the French forward has had a stellar season, contributing a combined total of 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, to end the season with 34 goal contributions. All of which fuelled Frankfurt's unexpected third-place finish in the Bundesliga, helping Die Adler (The Eagles) to automatic Champions League qualification.

However, Arsenal - who desprately require the services of a top class goalscorer - face a battle with Premier League champions Liverpool to land the signature of the coveted young star. 

It is understood that both clubs have made initial enquiries and are said to have held preliminary discussions with Frankfurt for the £80m rated forward. 

Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta must act quickly, as Chelsea have had a scouting presence at Frankfurt's matches recently — including their final Bundesliga clash against SC Freiburg — which indicates the Stamford Bridge outfit are gearing up to make an offer for the player dubbed as the 'New Mbappe'.