Hugo Ekitike is once again linked with Manchester United this summer and the club’s scouts are very familiar with the Eintracht Frankfurt forward.
Manchester United are determined to add firepower to their squad this summer after a poor 2024/25 campaign that ended with a 15th-place finish in the Premier League, largely due to their struggles in front of goal.
Bruno Fernandes finished as the top scorer with 19 goals, followed by Alejandro Garnacho and Amad with 11 each. Rasmus Højlund added 10, but no other player reached double figures across all competitions.
The club have already secured a deal to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves, and there is growing optimism that a move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo will soon be finalised.
Even so, United are still in the market for a central striker. One of their main targets is Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, although recent rumours have suggested that the club are turning their attention to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike amid Arsenal’s growing interest in the former.
United scouts watched Ekitike face off against Delap
Prior to the opening of the transfer window, United had actually earmarked then-Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as their priority signing for the position, but the Englishman instead chose to sign for Chelsea in a £30 million deal.
While Delap was still being considered and transfer lists were being finalised, United sent scouts to keep a “close eye” on England U21s playing against France U21s, with the now-Chelsea striker facing off against French forward Ekitike.
The game ended in a stunning 5-3 victory for the French side, with Ekitike thoroughly demolishing England with an astonishing display back in March.
While Delap did get a goal for his side, the 22-year-old Frenchman bagged himself a hat-trick, showing the ruthlessness in front of goal that has seen him score 22 goals and provide 12 assists this season.
The difference between Delap and Ekitike is clear
While Delap is no doubt a top striker talent, the stark difference that United’s scouts saw is a clear indication of why there is such a vast difference in their transfer fees.
Granted, Delap’s £30 million fee was due to a release clause in his contract that had been reduced from £40 million when Ipswich was relegated. Had they stayed up and there was no release clause, the Tractor Boys might have been able to demand a fee of upwards of £50 million.
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But, Ekitike has proved himself to be a much more threatening and ready-made striker, hence why his club are demanding around £85 million for him this summer.
Reporting on the tie, Sky Sports described Ekitike as a “decisive” player which is a trait United have sorely lacked in their centre-forward position for a long time.
With Cunha and Mbeumo providing a much better killer instinct in front of goal for Amorim’s men next season, bringing in a striker such as Ekitike, who has already shown himself to be a potent threat with the potential to grow even further, United may be setting themsvels up for a much more fruitful 2025/26 campaign.
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