Manchester United transfer news as Hugo Ekitike remains attainable for United but face competition from Liverpool
Comments
Sport
Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike shirt(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Hugo Ekitike continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United this summer as part of Ruben Amorim's hunt for a new striker continues this summer.
After recording their worst goalscoring season in 35 years, United are desperate for a new centre-forward for the 2025/26 season. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both struggled to make a difference with Bruno Fernandes topping the goalscoring charts.
Matheus Cunha has already been signed for £62.5million from Wolves with Bryan Mbeumo set to be the next. The likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen have all been strongly tipped with moves to Old Trafford but other top teams in Europe are in the market for a new centre-forward.
If United are to strengthen their striker options this summer, they face paying a premium with price tags of around £60m+ being touted for their targets.
Ekitike is one of the wildcard options linked with a move to United after impressing at Eintracht Frankfurt. The 23-year-old scored 22 goals last term, providing another 12 assists, to attract interest from the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool.
United's reported interest has gone quiet in the last week with their move for Mbeumo now being prioritised. However, the Frenchman remains for sale with Frankfurt keen to receive a hefty fee for him.
Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring a goal for Frankfurt
Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring a goal for Frankfurt(Image: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
According to Fabrizio Romano, Frankfurt's reported £84m valuation of the striker, which seemed to put some clubs off, could be lowered. The journalist has claimed that the feeling among Premier League teams is that the Bundesliga side could accept a bid closer to £68m-£76m.
Frankfurt CEO Markus Krosche has previously insisted that the club are under no pressure to sanction a sale. "If the price isn't right, then he'll just stay with us," he told Wiesbadener Kurier. "We don't have to sell Hugo."
The update comes after journalist Francois Plateau claimed that Liverpool are in contact with Ekitike's representatives. Arne Slot is expected to prioritise an attacker after signing Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong with several targets said to be admired.
It's claimed that Newcastle United's Alexander Isak is their top target but the Magpies' price tag will make a deal difficult. It leaves Ekitike and others available for a move to Anfield.
Here at the Manchester Evening News, we're dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And finally, if you'd rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts , and you can also watch along on YouTube .