Wolves are now seemingly facing a race against time to sign Hugo Ekitike, with the player reportedly racing an agreement in principle with Eintracht Frankfurt over his salary.
The French youngster has been one of a few names on Gary O’Neil’s transfer shortlist this month.
The 21-year-old has seriously struggled for game time this month, and it has been expected that he will depart Paris Saint-Germain this month.
Wolves have been linked, but so have Eintracht Frankfurt – and it looks as though the Bundesliga club have just taken a big step forward with their pursuit of the player…
Wolves’ hopes of signing Hugo Ekitike are fading as striker agrees salary cut to join Eintracht Frankfurt
It has been reported by Sky journalist Florian Plettenberg today that Eintracht Frankfurt are closing in on Ekitike.
He wrote on X: “Exclusive: Verbal agreement in principle between Eintracht Frankfurt & Hugo #Ekitike has been reached now! Ekitike is ready to waive a salary of around €4m for #SGE! SGE Boss Krösche is pushing to sign the 21 y/o striker. More steps to go.
“Concrete negotiations with #PSG expect to start soon.”
Ekitike is said to have agreed to play for a salary of €3 million per year, which works out at around £48,000 per week. This follows another claim earlier this week that this was as much as Eintracht would be prepared to offer.
But there is still potentially hope for Wolves.
Because Eintracht and PSG have not yet opened talks about a deal for Ekitike to join the German club.
Still time for Wolves
So it sounds as though Ekitike is definitely convinced by the project at Eintracht and is keen to play in the Bundesliga. Perhaps he has been given assurances that he will get regular game time, which is obviously a huge factor for him given his lack of minutes this term.
It is not over just yet for Wolves, with Eintracht and PSG yet to agree a deal.
But time is certainly running out.
If Ekitike is someone O’Neil really wants, then the club will need to be making a move soon, before it gets too advanced between Eintracht and PSG. It seems clear at this point that this is a move he fancies.
Should the ‘very special’ Ekitike head to Germany, then Wolves will surely make a play for one of Che Adams or Danny Ings, with both having Premier League experience.