Soccer Football - Europa League - Quarter Final - First Leg - Tottenham Hotspur v Eintracht Frankfurt - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 10, 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike applauds fans after the match REUTERS/David Klein
Manchester United have entered the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg. Plettenberg reported that United made contact with Eintracht Frankfurt last week to express “concrete interest” and gather all relevant information.
Liverpool and Chelsea were previously linked with the player, and Plettenberg mentioned that both clubs remain in the race for Ekitike alongside United. Frankfurt’s asking price for the player remains €100m.
Ekitike has seen his stock rise after an impressive campaign with the Bundesliga club. He bagged 22 goals and provided 11 assists in 47 matches across all competitions last season. His goals lifted the club to a third place finish in the Bundesliga to secure a Champions League berth for next season.
The 22 year old joined Frankfurt from Paris Saint-Germain in January of 2024 originally on loan before making the move permanent. His two seasons at the club have seen him draw admirers from several top clubs across Europe.
His pace and trickery makes him a handful in the attacking third and at 6’3 he is a target man in the box.
United join race for Ekitike
United have already added to their forward line this summer, completing the signing of Brazil forward Matheus Cunha in a £62.5m from Wolves. The Red Devils have also submitted a bid for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo but are keen to also add an out-and-out striker to their ranks.
United’s striker options at the moment are Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, both of whom have come under much scrutiny after failing to impress the Old Trafford faithful so far. It is likely that one if not both players could be allowed to leave to make way for a new striker.
The Red Devils have been active in their search for a new goal scorer this summer. The were beaten by Chelsea to the signature of striker Liam Delap from Ipswich, and continue to monitor the situations of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
The latter in particular is familiar with United boss Ruben Amorim who signed the player for Sporting before making the switch to United. With both clubs seemingly playing hardball, United may have now turned their attention to Ekitike.
The France U21 striker is widely considered an upgrade on United’s options at striker. He is expected to move to a bigger club this summer, and will want to play as many minutes as possible ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Another impressive season in front of goal could catch the attention of France boss Didier Deschamps.
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