Chelsea have intensified their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, attempting to outpace Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool who have also expressed interest in the French forward.

According to French publication L'Equipe, Chelsea have "accelerated their efforts" in the "past few hours" to secure the 22-year-old's signature, potentially beating their competitors to the promising talent.

Ekitike, who joined Frankfurt permanently from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, has enjoyed an impressive season in the Bundesliga, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists in 33 appearances. This outstanding performance has attracted significant attention from top Premier League clubs.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool are believed to have made initial inquiries about the striker, but Chelsea appear to be moving more decisively in their approach. The Blues' aggressive stance comes as they continue to reshape their squad under new management.

The French forward is currently weighing his options after being ruled out of France's European Under-21 Championship campaign due to a back injury. His current contract with Frankfurt runs until June 2029, giving the German club a strong negotiating position.

This transfer pursuit follows Chelsea's recent acquisition of Dario Essugo from Sporting CP, indicating the London club's continued investment in young talent as they rebuild their squad for future campaigns.

Chelsea's transfer activity has been notably active, with reports also suggesting that Liam Delap has completed a medical ahead of a potential £30 million move to Stamford Bridge, while Jadon Sancho has returned to Manchester United after his loan spell with the club.

The Blues appear to be undergoing significant squad restructuring, with reports indicating that new manager Enzo Maresca is prepared to approve the sale of up to 15 players as the club continues its ambitious rebuild.