Ekitike, 22, scored 22 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions for Frankfurt last season and — according to sources close to the club, granted anonymity to protect relationships — is valued at €100million (£83.9m; $114m), albeit with a negotiable payment structure.

Per Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool have now emerged as serious contenders to sign French forward Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Reds are in talks with the Bundesliga side and are ready to challenge Chelsea in the transfer race.

Chelsea are seriously interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, although they have been informed that a deal will cost €100 million this summer.