Hugo Ekitike
Manchester United are one of the teams linked with a move for Hugo Ekitike.
Manchester United are keen to add to their attacking options between now and the end of the transfer window. The Reds have added Wolves forward to the squad so far.
They are trying to tie up a deal for Brentford forward , having seen two bids rejected by the Bees. They are also after a central striker.
Speculation over the futures of and , who have both failed to make a big impact at , means that United could find themselves short on out-and-out strikers.
One target has been Sporting CP’s , with keen on a reunion with his former player. However, he seems to be leaning toward a move to Arsenal with reports suggesting he is close to reaching an agreement on personal terms with the Gunners.
It means that may have to move onto other targets and one of those may be Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. The 23-year-old scored 22 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions last season.
Here is the latest on a potential move for the France U21 international this summer:
Ekitike admission
The player himself has admitted growing up as a United fan in a recent podcast released by Frankfurt. When asked which club was his ‘favourite’ as a youngster, he had no hesitation in answering with: “.”
United will hope to use that to their advantage in any transfer race this summer.
Frankfurt message
Speaking to German outlet Wiesbadener Kurier last month, Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche sent a clear message to the clubs interested in signing Ekitike this summer.
“If the price isn’t right, then he’ll simply stay with us,” he said. “We don’t have to sell Hugo.”
The German side are said to have put a price tag of €80 million (£69.2m) on the striker’s head.
United have made contact with Frankfurt over a potential move for Ekitike this summer, according to Bild, via .
The report says that United are currently the only team to have made an approach, however the situation could change if Darwin Nunez completes a move away from this summer.
have also been credited with an interest in the forward this summer as the Blues look to add to their attacking options.
Frankfurt’s £22m boost
Frankfurt are under no pressure to sell Ekitike this summer, thanks to a capital increase for the club. A €25 million (£22m) increase in capital is said to represent a ‘buffer’ for Frankfurt, according to , with the club not needing to sell one of their big name stars to fund incoming transfers.
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