Manchester United have focussed their attentions on signing Hugo Ekitike after conceding defeat in the race for Viktor Gyokeres – but Eintracht Frankfurt’s current asking price could prove problematic for the Red Devils.
Following a largely underwhelming spell at Paris Saint-Germain, Ekitike has established himself as one of the most in-demand strikers in European football this summer.
The sought-after 22-year-old racked up 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for Eintracht last season, helping the club secure Champions League football with a third-placed finish in the Bundesliga.
However, there has been mounting speculation that Ekitike could be on his way out of the Waldstadion, with the Premier League’s elite circling for the Frenchman.
It’s understood Liverpool and Chelsea have both held talks over a potential move, while Old Trafford has also emerged as a possible destination, with United forced to give up their pursuit of the seemingly Arsenal-bound Gyokeres.
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Gyokeres’ desire for Champions League football next season means he is intent on joining the Gunners, though the Swede’s agent is currently embroiled in a war of words with Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, over a proposed transfer fee.
According to The Mirror, Gyokeres has informed United has ‘no interest’ in being reunited with Ruben Amorim at the Theatre of Dreams, forcing the Red Devils to ‘ramp up’ their pursuit of Ekitike.
But the report claims Eintracht’s eye-watering £80million valuation of Ekitike would have to come down significantly before United could even consider making the German outfit an offer.
Unfortunately for United, it appears Eintracht have no intention of easing their demands for the attacker, with the club’s sporting director, Markus Krosche, telling Wiesbadener Kurier: ‘If the price isn’t right, then he’ll just stay with us.
‘We don’t have to sell Hugo.’
Ekitike’s current contract, which he signed upon arrival in Frankfurt, runs through to June 2029.
‘In terms of Ekitike, I’ve spoken to Thierry Henry about him a lot,’ former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards said of Ekitike on a recent episode of The Rest is Football.
‘He says he’s not [necessarily] a frustrating player, but one minute he looks amazing and the next minute he doesn’t really do the basics very well.
‘But he said if he gets it right and improves then his ceiling could be very, very high.’
With Liverpool mulling over a possible a bid for Ekitike, Richards feels the youngster has more than enough talent to add a new dimension to Arne Slot’s attack.
‘It depends on how they want to play,’ Richards explained.
‘Do they want a striker who can stretch or they do they want a striker who is going to come to feet and interlink play?
‘Ekitike is not bad on the ball but he’s more of a stretch striker than a [Roberto] Firmino coming in deep and linking play.
‘Where does Florian Wirtz fit into that? Where does Dominik Szoboszlai fit into that? Where does Luis Diaz potentially fit into that.
‘If they get Wirtz I think they may be looking for more a player who can drop and Diaz can play a little bit deeper. He played a lot as a No.9 this season.
‘But talent-wise, he’s definitely got enough to add to this Liverpool side.’
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