Manchester United have been linked with a move for Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt
Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike could be the new face at Manchester United
Manchester United could have an unexpected boost in the race to sign Hugo Ekitike after the Eintracht Frankfurt forward revealed he supported the Reds as a child.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with United, Chelsea and Liverpool all credited with an interest in the Frenchman.
Ekitike has scored 26 goals and provided 14 assists in 64 games since joining Frankfurt from Paris Saint-Germain in January 2024, and as a result, it is claimed the Bundesliga outfit will demand a fee of roughly £80m to let the striker leave this summer.
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But if United's interest in the forward is genuine, then they will need to be creative with their pitch to the forward after missing out on Champions League qualification, while both Liverpool and Chelsea will be able to offer Ekitike the chance to play in Europe's premier competition.
The Reds, though, will be able to play on the Frenchman's emotional connection to the club after he revealed in an interview with the Eintracht Frankfurt YouTube channel last year that he supported Man United as a child.
After finishing 16th in the Premier League this season, United have wasted no time in the transfer market and have already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim's side are confident of striking a deal with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
Mbeumo has told confidants he only wants to join United but well-placed sources say that has not deterred Spurs, who appointed Thomas Frank as their new coach last week.