Manchester United’s search for a new number nine this summer is proving to be a bit of a headache for Jason Wilcox.
The attack was always going to be the priority for Ineos, and this has proven true so far in the summer transfer window.
After signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m, attention remains firmly on bolstering the front three amid Manchester United’s continued efforts to sign Bryan Mbeumo.
Alongside these negotiations, United remain in the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres, although they face several significant hurdles, such as the fee and interest from Arsenal.
Due to this, alternatives are being explored with Victor Osimhen remaining an option for United. However, he is not the only alternative, with talks now underway for an exciting proposition.
Hugo Ekitike celebrates for Frankfurt.
Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images
Manchester United in talks to sign Hugo Ekitike
One exciting striker option United are working on is Hugo Ekitike, who is fast becoming a star for Frankfurt.
Ekitike scored 22 goals and assisted 12 in all competitions last season for the Bundesliga side, which highlights how good he is becoming. Long likened to Kylian Mbappe, Ekitike has the mentality of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, which is quite the praise.
Now, French outlet Foot Mercato has claimed that United have now accelerated talks for Ekitike.
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It is stated that ‘concrete’ progress is being made for the 22-year-old, with discussions intensified over the past 48 hours. This has happened as both Liverpool and Chelsea have remained in the starting blocks over a move.
United are ready to go on the offensive to sign Ekitike, while talks have progressed very well with parties said to be optimistic over a deal. It is added that United have been in contact with Frankfurt to discuss the asking price.
This is where the trouble could lie for United, with Frankfurt demanding £85m for Ekitike, a fee that might be negotiated, but promises that a transfer will be costly.
The qualities that Ekitike has make him a very exciting prospective signing, and better yet he dreams of playing for United just like Cunha.
Ekitike could be the new Harry Kane
Ekitike is known to be a fan of United, with his tweets as a youngster, and also video clips revealing this.
Ekitike, as a striker, is different from Gyokeres in that he is not a powerhouse, but rather can do everything. The Frenchman has an excellent touch, control, passing, and movement.
This has seen him earn comparisons to Harry Kane, with both very well-rounded, which makes him a potentially brilliant signing who would also work in a variety of systems and under different managers, something that would be wise from Ineos after how Amorim’s first six months went.
Infographic from FBRef showing Hugo Ekitike compared with Harry Kane.
Infographic from FBRef showing Hugo Ekitike compared with Harry Kane.
Ekitike’s one big weakness is finishing, as he underperformed his expected goals; however, this suggests he is getting himself in the right areas to score, and in theory, the goals should come.
This would be a brilliant move by Ineos if they could pull it off.