Manchester United are in the hunt for a new striker this summer, but one target may instead join a Premier League rival in a huge move.
Manchester United need to add goals this summer, but Ruben Amorim’s attacking revolution has been much slower than anticipated.
Alejandro Garnacho was told to leave United, and the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are all available after loan spells away.
So far, none of them have left the club, and that has damaged United’s hopes of bringing in new forwards.
Matheus Cunha has joined United from Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the Brazilian remains Amorim’s only attacking addition this summer.
United are chasing Bryan Mbeumo and hope to have a deal wrapped up for the Brentford attacker soon, which would be a huge boost.
Hugo Ekitike in action for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United target Hugo Ekitike could join Newcastle United
Once United – hopefully – secure the signing of Mbeumo, the attention is likely to turn to a new striker.
Rasmus Hojlund struggled for goals last season, while Joshua Zirkzee was more impressive as a number 10.
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United have been linked with Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson this weekend, just as one target potentially moves closer to a Premier League rival.
The Telegraph report that Newcastle United are now making a move to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
United made contact over signing Ekitike earlier this summer, but a deal for the Frenchman did not progress.
Newcastle are now ‘looking into the possibility’ of a deal with Eintracht, as they look to sign Ekitike to play alongside Alexander Isak.
There are certainly parallels between the pair in terms of their style of play, which may lead fans to believe Ekitke is being targeted early ahead of Isak potentially leaving next summer.
Ekitike’s release clause stands at £86million, which is exactly why United’s move didn’t really go anywhere.
Newcastle are now attempting to strike a deal, meaning United could face Ekitike twice in the Premier League this season.
United’s striking pursuit looks complicated
United will search far and wide for strikers, but finding one within the Ineos budget won’t be easy.
Rumoured target Jackson will seemingly cost anywhere between £60million and £100million, with Ekitike nestled around the middle of those valuations.
United missed out on Champions League qualification and will struggle to pay that kind of money unless sales are made.
That means United may need to take a punt on a cheaper forward and aim to develop them into a Premier League star, rather than pay big money for a talent like Ekitike.
United have scouted Genk’s Tolu Arokodare, and the Nigerian target man may fit the bill in terms of price, though he is certainly unproven at the highest level.
A deal for Ekitike just doesn’t seem possible this summer, but United would love to avoid having to face him in the Premier League this season.