So, Hugo Ekitike was a boyhood Manchester United fan. Does that mean he definitely won’t be joining Liverpool? Absolutely not.
The Eintracht Frankfurt striker is one of the most sought-after names in Europe this summer as a host of clubs look for a new striker. Liverpool is among those, with the Reds soon to be looking at its next priority in the transfer window.
Jeremie Frimpong is already on board, Florian Wirtz looks to be just a matter of days away from completing his move to Anfield, and a deal for Milos Kerkez could move quickly after Bournemouth secured his replacement. It might not be long then before it’s full steam ahead for a new No.9.
Plenty of names have been linked, and none of them will prove to be cheap. Alexander Isak is the dream signing, but Newcastle will be a tough nut to crack, even if the Swedish international is keen on a move.
Ekitike, therefore, represents something of a more realistic option, albeit Liverpool will likely have to offload one or two players before it can start entertaining the idea.
The Liverpool Echo has claimed the Reds are indeed monitoring the Frenchman, and with links to Chelsea having cooled recently, Liverpool may well be in the race. There is one other team in there though.
United completes the trio being heavily linked with Ekitike, and the Old Trafford club holds one advantage of sorts - it’s the team he grew up supporting.
Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike has revealed he was a Manchester United fan growing up (Image: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
“My favorite club as a child was Manchester United. I’ve always admired them,” Ekitike told French radio station RTL in December 2024.
You might think then that a move to Old Trafford would be the one that appeals most to Ekitike. That might not be the case though, and Kerkez looks set to show exactly why.
The Hungarian is also widely reported to have been a United fan growing up, and even talked up the prospect of moving to Old Trafford last year.
“You don't need to explain to anyone what it means to play football in Manchester United, moreover, my childhood idol, Nemanja Vidic, was also a dominant player there.” Kerkez told Sportal.
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“It is an honor and a big responsibility to play in a team of this level, every footballer dreams of reaching the highest level and winning trophies.”
That last line is maybe more pertinent though as Kerkez looks to be closing in on a move to Liverpool. Even after growing up as a United fan, the Reds are clearly the bigger draw right now.
And of course, he’s not the only one to have supported one team as a child, and gone on to play for their rival. Jamie Carragher, anyone?
Whether being a United supporter is enough to convince Ekitike of a move to Old Trafford, only he will know. Liverpool or Chelsea would offer him Champions League football, as would staying in Frankfurt, while United has no European football to speak of at all, and Ruben Amorim is yet to gain control over the growing mess at that club.
We may well find out just how strong Ekitike’s support was growing up.