Manchester United are once again moving urgently in the transfer market. Following a season plagued by inconsistency and a concerning lack of goals in decisive moments, the club’s leadership is beginning to accept a hard truth: waiting for individual players to develop is no longer enough. Rasmus Højlund’s uneven form, combined with an attack that often lacked cohesion, has highlighted the need for reinforcements. United are well aware that they cannot afford to stand still while their rivals, both domestically and across Europe, aggressively strengthen their squads.
According to [Sky Germany](https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11667/13382790/hugo-ekitike-transfer-news-man-utd-to-rival-liverpool-and-chelsea-after-entering-race-to-sign-eintracht-frankfurt-striker), United have identified Hugo Ekitike as a prime target. The 22-year-old forward, currently under contract with Eintracht Frankfurt until 2029, is also attracting interest from Liverpool and Chelsea. However, United are reported to be the first to take formal steps toward a potential offer. Frankfurt’s valuation of the player stands at around £85 million, a steep price that reflects how highly the Bundesliga side rate one of their brightest young stars. Aware of the growing competition, United are already working behind the scenes to understand the feasibility of a deal before others move in.
Manchester United Join the Race for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Rising Star Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike is far from a conventional striker. Tall and quick, with a long stride and an aggressive attacking mindset, he offers a mix of physical presence and tactical versatility. Crucially, he’s more than just a penalty-box poacher, his ability to drift wide, pull defenders out of position, and link play would offer Manchester United a more dynamic attacking option. For a team that has struggled with tactical rigidity in the final third, Ekitike would bring much-needed variation. His presence would also ease the burden on Højlund, potentially allowing the Danish striker to develop without the pressure of carrying the attack alone.
In Ekitike, Rúben Amorim would have a second young striker with a contrasting style, someone who could work alongside Højlund or offer a different dimension off the bench. His arrival could unlock new tactical setups and give United more options when Bruno Fernandes and the wingers struggle to break down defences. Rather than rely on a single solution, United would be taking a proactive step toward building a more complete and flexible front line, one capable of meeting the demands of modern football.
Now, is it justifiable to spend £85 million on a striker who has yet to fully explode? On the surface, the price, roughly €100 million, appears inflated. But in today’s market, that level of investment is increasingly common, especially for players with high potential. Manchester United are not in a position to make cautious, conservative bets. If Ekitike develops as expected and delivers 15 to 20 goals per Premier League season, the fee will soon look like a smart piece of long-term planning. In fact, such an investment could prove more valuable than signing a 29-year-old with similar numbers but no resale potential.
That said, the club cannot afford another misstep like the Antony transfer, a rushed, high-cost decision made without thorough analysis. The pursuit of Ekitike does carry risk, but it’s a calculated one and perhaps even a necessary one. Sometimes, the leap in quality comes not from experience, but from ambition. United don’t just need goals: they need energy, evolution, and new attacking profiles. And in that context, Ekitike might be exactly the kind of bold move that sets a new tone at Old Trafford.