When Gary O’Neil was in charge of Wolves, the Englishman emphasised his desire to sign a new centre-forward to play alongside Matheus Cunha.
In January 2024, Wolves wanted to sign a striker and were linked with numerous targets. A transfer for Chelsea’s Armando Broja was mooted, but he instead joined Fulham on loan till the end of the campaign.
Wolves were also linked with Che Adams during the winter transfer window and then in the summer before he sealed his move on a free to Serie A side Torino.
Sadly, the only player captured by the club during that month was Noha Lemina, brother of former captain Mario, on loan from PSG.
The 19-year-old, meanwhile, wasn’t the only forward Gary O’Neil wanted to sign from the French giants in an attempt to bolster his side’s firepower.
Wolves wanted to sign Hugo Ekitike from PSG in 2024
One name that caught the eye of O’Neil was Hugo Ekitike, who was seeking a move away from PSG at the start of 2024.
Wolves were interested in EkItike but couldn’t agree on financial terms with the French giants and were beaten to his signature by Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
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Ekitike was signed on loan by Frankfurt with an option to buy in the summer, triggering that agreement after the 22-year-old registered six goal involvements in the second half of 2023/24.
The German side captured the highly rated striker for a bargain £13.8 million last April, while Wolves signed Jorgen Strand Larsen on loan months later.
Strand Larsen has been a brilliant addition to the Old Gold, netting seven goals in all competitions since his arrival, though it pales insignificantly to the levels Ekitike has reached in Germany.
Ekitike is valued at £66m and outscoring Matheus Cunha
In his initial loan last term, Wolves thought they dodged a bullet not signing the Frenchman, as Frankfurt revealed Ekitike had fitness concerns.
However, since completing a permanent transfer almost a year ago, he’s transformed into a goal-scoring machine and is finally showcasing his incredible potential.
Ekitike has 18 goals in all competitions for Frankfurt, including 13 in the Bundesliga, which is more than Matheus Cunha’s total of 15 this term.
Cunha, who is wanted by some big clubs, possesses a £62.5 million release clause ahead of the summer, and Frankfurt CEO Markus Krosche has valued Ekitike at a similar price of €80m (£66m).
🚨🆕 Eintracht Frankfurt are preparing for the departure of Hugo #Ekitike this summer, with the 22-y/o striker likely to leave.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) March 4, 2025
Markus Krösche is demanding at least €80m as a transfer fee. Ekitike is under contract until 2029. #SGE
Ekitike has had a top season so far, scoring… pic.twitter.com/7nQCnTaC5j
Indeed, after becoming one of Europe’s deadliest centre-forwards, the former Wolves target is now wanted by Liverpool, suggesting how rapidly he’s developed in a year and making Fosun regret not paying his wages.