At first glance, it seemed like a reasonable short-term goal. Before his final season at Reims, Hugo Ekitike hadn’t scored in France’s top division. He had spent the previous season on loan at Danish side Vejle Boldklub. Returning to Reims as the fourth-choice forward, he quickly forced Garcia to reconsider. Soon, the two strikers he was supposed to emulate were no longer his benchmarks. “Within months, he wanted to reach Mbappé’s level,” Garcia revealed.
This story offers insight into the mindset of the Eintracht Frankfurt forward, long linked with a Premier League move. Previously, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool were rumored destinations. Now, Newcastle appears most likely to sign him.
“He was always talented, but some coaches didn’t like his profile—or his character,” Garcia admitted. “They thought he was a bit arrogant. He always wanted to compare himself to the best.”
Ekitike is now justifying those comparisons after a standout season with Frankfurt. With 22 goals in all competitions, he’s finally delivering on his early promise. His move from Reims to PSG was ambitious, given the competition. With Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi still there, his minutes were limited—most appearances came off the bench. “Any striker would’ve struggled,” Garcia said. “But he learned a lot and is better for it.”
HOW DENMARK LOAN SPARKED EKITIKE’S RISE
It was at Vejle where Ekitike first embraced professional football. The club’s technical director, Henrik Tonder, admitted no one predicted his rapid rise—but Denmark undeniably set the stage for it.
A pivotal talk with coach Uzunea Dumitru reinforced that belief. Speaking to eSportyNews in 2022, Dumitru praised Ekitike’s potential: “His technical ability is extraordinary. For a 1.90m player, his speed and agility are remarkable. He reads the game intelligently and can play as a striker or deeper link-up.”
Dumitru also highlighted the loan’s importance: “He arrived with little Ligue 1 experience, so this was crucial. In football—and life—how you build steps matters. Vejle’s strong structure helped him grow.”
Frankfurt, savvy in the transfer market, saw potential beyond his PSG struggles. After an initial loan in 2023/24, Ekitike made the move permanent last summer and flourished after turning 22. Under coach Dino Toppmöller, the system suited him, and he became key to Frankfurt’s success.
Even after Omar Marmoush’s January sale to Manchester City, Ekitike propelled Frankfurt to a third-place finish—matching their best Bundesliga result since the Tony Yeboah era. Early in the season, he partnered with Marmoush in a fluid attack, both roaming wide and sharing duties.
Standing 6’3″, Ekitike isn’t a traditional target man. “He doesn’t just wait for crosses—he’s mobile, hard to mark, and loves running the channels,” Garcia noted. Only Marmoush matched his Bundesliga counter-attacking goals this season, reflecting Frankfurt’s style. But Garcia believes Ekitike can adapt: “He fits counter-attacking or possession-based teams.”
That versatility makes him enticing for top clubs. “At his age, you won’t find many strikers like him—tall, fast, technical, strong in hold-up play, and a finisher,” Garcia added.
Though his 15 Bundesliga goals mark a career high, analysts note he took 117 shots—more than even Harry Kane—and underperformed his xG. While his finishing needs work, his ability to find scoring positions is promising.
“Every player can improve,” Garcia said. “He knows his weaknesses but needs guidance to reach his full potential. Individual coaching will be crucial.”
Now stronger physically and sharper mentally, Ekitike has proven he can step up when needed. After PSG, Frankfurt was a smart move—but his next step will be the real test. Is he ready for the Premier League? No matter the challenge, Ekitike will back himself to succeed.