Manchester United are exploring the striker market, keen to address the club’s biggest shortcoming – a lack of goals.
After starting June off with a transfer announcement, the momentum at Manchester United has slowed a little.
Talks are ongoing to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, but aside from that, the picture is a little more complex.
Amid claims Viktor Gyokeres favours a move elsewhere, Manchester United are being linked to other names, including Hugo Ekitike.
Hugo Ekitike celebrates for Frankfurt
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Hugo Ekitike latest
Manchester United’s latest round of links to Hugo Ekitike emerged on June 14 when Foot Mercato reported the Red Devils had held talks over the Frenchman.
The forward scored 22 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt last season and is one of the most promising young forwards in Europe. However, his previous move from Reims to PSG did not work out, with the 22-year-old spending just one season with the club before making the move to Germany.
Now Eintracht Frankfurt have slapped a huge price on Ekitike, demanding £85 million as they anticipate a possible bidding war.
United In Focus spoke to transfer insider Graeme Bailey to get some perspective on United’s interest, and how this compares with other targets.
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Bailey explained: “United sources confirm that whilst talks with Ekitike have taken place – we are told that is not an indication of where he is in their thinking, as they confirm multiple talks with multiple targets are continuing – including Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen, nothing is off table at this point.
“Ekitike is a player of huge potential, and United are fully aware of him. When he was heading to PSG, they knew all about – Newcastle were the main protagonists in England, but United liked him too.”
“He is very similar to Kylian Mbappe, that is true and he is not a no 9 at all, he is not a Gyokeres, Osimhen or even a Liam Delap, but he is effective and some scouts firmly believe of all the young strikers around – he could be the best.
“But we already know Ruben Amorin wants a number 9 – is that Ekitike? Well it won’t be at €100m – that is for sure, I am told that nobody is buying that price tag if Frankfurt stand by that.
“However, intermediaries are telling United and others, that a deal can be done for less – which has seen talks take place.”
Risk with Ekitike deal
The risk with Hugo Ekitike mirrors the gamble Manchester United took on Rasmus Hojlund in some regard, a young forward who excelled in a foreign league.
Ekitike’s goal tally in Germany is superior to anything Hojlund put together at his previous clubs, but former Eintracht Frankfurt forwards have flattered to deceive.
Clubs have paid big money to Frankfurt to sign Luka Jovic, Sebastien Haller, and Randal Kolo Muani, at a combined price of more than £170 million, and all three flopped at their respective sides; Real Madrid, West Ham and PSG.
Adding Ekitike alongside Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo would minimise the risk on Ekitike, and there is a lot to be excited about with a move for the Frenchman. Even then, United’s funds will only stretch so far, not to spending £85 million on a single player.
Intermediaries telling United that a deal could be done for less, is good news for the chances of this move going ahead, and any agreement would need to be heavily stacked with add-ons, to a far lower up-front fee.