United are desperate to sign a striker and Ekitike might be the best option who is actually attainable.placeholder image
United are desperate to sign a striker and Ekitike might be the best option who is actually attainable. | AFP via Getty Images
In recent days, Man United have reportedly stepped up their efforts to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
Since the start of the summer, Manchester United have been linked to several world-class strikers, with seemingly Viktor Gyokeres emerging as the number one target. He previously played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP.
Seeing as the Red Devils have already spent £62.5m on Matheus Cunha, and are trying to secure Bryan Mbeumo for around £55-60m, it may be difficult for them to afford a deal to sign Ekitike or Gyokeres, and so could look at alternative targets instead.
Man United should sign Victor Boniface
Ekitike is a physical number nine, who does well to win balls in the air, he is at his best when the service from wide areas allows him to attack the ball in the box. A true number nine, which is something that United lack at the moment.
With that in mind, there is a fellow Bundesliga striker, who plays a very similar game to Ekitike that they could decide to look at instead - Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface. The 24-year-old has been at Leverkusen since July 2023, when he joined from Union SG in Belgium.
Since then, Boniface has been a very impressive goal scorer, netting 32 goals in 61 games, which works out at 0.52 goals per game. Comparing that to Ekitike, the Frenchman has scored 26 goals in 64 games for Frankfurt, which works out at 0.41 per game.
Furthermore, according to a report from Bild back in March, Boniface is expected to cost £42.7m this summer, a huge saving compared to the £60m plus that United would likely have to spend on Ekitike. Plus, Boniface is more experienced and has a winning record as he helped Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season.
It is a surprise that more teams haven’t been linked with the Nigerian international, as he has everything you would want in a number nine. Plus, his price tag, makes him much less of a risk compared to the likes of Gyokeres, Ekitike or Victor Osimhen.
Man United could offer Leverkusen a swap deal
Seeing as the Red Devils are struggling with a transfer budget following Erik Ten Hag’s reign, they could try to be savvy, and not just opt to sign Boniface over Ekitike, but also offer a player in exchange instead.
Man United reportedly want to sell him for around £70m, but instead, they could offer him to Leverkusen in exchange for Boniface, and even get some cash added on from Ten Hag’s side of the deal.
It means that Ten Hag gets his Wirtz replacement, and Manchester United land a top-class striker, who has proven himself in the top European leagues. It would be a great bit of business from the Red Devils.
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