Mikel Arteta and Ruben Amorim both want to sign a strikerplaceholder image
Mikel Arteta and Ruben Amorim both want to sign a striker | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Man United and Arsenal are both aiming to sign a striker in this summer transfer window to add more goals up front.
However, the Red Devils have entered the race for a new striker, which could hand any deal for Gyokeres to Mikel Arteta’s side. The Swedish international scored 54 goals in 52 games last season for Sporting, making him one of the most in-demand strikers in Europe.
Man United join race for Hugo Ekitike
Despite all their reported interest in Gyokeres, Man United seem to be looking at alternative targets too, potentially changing their priority away from signing the Sporting CP striker this summer.
According to Sky Germany, Man United have joined Liverpool and Chelsea in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. The report says that Man United are exploring the conditions of a potential deal, but the German club are demanding around £85 million.
Ekitike is a 22-year-old French striker, who joined Frankfurt in 2024 from Ligue 1 giants PSG after he failed to establish himself in the French capital. He has since scored 26 goals in 64 games for Frankfurt, he has also contributed 14 assists. The Frenchman is a tall striker who excels in the air. Many of his goals for Frankfurt have come when he has received good service into the box from the wide areas, which he can attack in the air. Furthermore, he is also effective in one-on-one situations.
If United were to sign him, they would need to ensure that the wingers can put good balls into the box. Any signing of Ekitike could only increase the need to sign Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo, who is very effective in wide areas.
Man United signing Hugo Ekitike could hand Arsenal Viktor Gyokeres
If Man United decide to sign Ekitike instead, it would give Arsenal somewhat of a green light to go after Gyokeres. However, the Gunners are prioritising RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko as things stand, so it could leave Gyokeres in a strange position with no Premier League teams going after him.
The biggest issue that United have with regards to Ekitike, is that they are competing with Chelsea and Liverpool for the Frenchman’s signature. Both Enzo Maresca and Arne Slot can offer the 22-year-old Champions League football, something that United can’t offer.
However, seeing as Frankfurt want to sell Ekitike for over £80m, it might be better for Man United to keep pursuing Gyokeres instead due to the fact that any deal for the Swedish international is expected to cost significantly less, despite him having an £84m release clause.
Continue Reading