‘A mix of Mbappe and Neymar’ – Aston Villa in position to beat Arsenal and Liverpool to €80m striker

Robin Bairner

• 28 Mar 2025 06:40 CDT
• 9 min read

Analysis

Aston Villa are one of many top Premier League clubs in the market for a striker as the summer approaches, and Unai Emery’s side would be well advised to make one of the most-wanted players a leading target to support Ollie Watkins.

Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike has emerged as an option for Arsenal and Liverpool, according to The Sun, with the Gunners even beginning preliminary talks with the player. But the 19-goal hitman would be a great option for Emery and Aston Villa.

Current ETV

Hugo Ekitiké

F (C)

E. Frankfurt

Hugo Ekitiké

F (C)

E. Frankfurt

€42.3M

ETV Range

€38.1M - €46.6M

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Ekitike, after all, has already shown himself willing to take unusual steps in his career. During the 2020/21 season, he moved on loan to Vejle Boldklub from Reims.

Now faced with a pivotal decision in his career, the 22-year-old’s best option is to move to the Birmingham side, who have a gap in the centre-forward area following their decision to sell Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr in the January transfer window.

Ekitike looks primed to move to the Premier League. Although primarily a poacher, the former PSG striker is versatile enough to play deeper and to drift into wider areas.

“I might say something really crazy, but I’ll say it anyway: I think he’s a mix between Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. I really think so,” former Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder said after Frankfurt beat Ajax 2-1 in the Europa League.

“He’s got the grace of Neymar but also the movement of Mbappe. To accelerate suddenly, that’s something Mbappe has. And he’s only 22. There’s really a lot of potential in this boy.”

This was underscored as he netted a hat-trick for France U21 against England during the international break, a match in which Lyon's Rayan Cherki, another player linked with Liverpool, delivered a masterclass.

Hugo Ekitike: A perfect fit for Aston Villa

Frankfurt are reportedly hoping for €80 million for Ekitike, which is significantly above his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €42.3m. With so many Premier League clubs following him, though, that figure seems attainable for the Bundesliga side, particularly as the Frenchman is under contract until 2029.

Aston Villa should seriously consider this investment, though.

SciSports give the Birmingham side an enormous Club Fit score of 85, suggesting that he is almost tailor-made for Emery’s purposes.

This is calculated using a variety of factors from potential development and playing time to style and formation. Villa score impressively across the board.

Ekitike has been a model striker in the Bundesliga this season and could certainly enhance Emery’s offensive options. He ranks as the fifth-strongest forward in Germany’s top-flight and ranks particularly well in terms of his finishing.

While he is not as strong in the defensive side of his game, his transition forcing, essentially the ability to press effectively and generate turnovers, is strong, making him an ideal modern forward.

Hugo Ekitike vs Bundesliga forwards: Overall performance 2024/25 (SciSports)

Villa will have to act quickly, though. Arsenal and Liverpool both have Club Fit scores of 78, making them viable options for the striker, and both can readily afford Frankfurt’s asking price.

The smart move on the part of the young Frenchman would be a move to Villa Park, but Emery’s side first half to come calling. They would be well advised to.