Manchester United reject transfer offer to sign French starlet, with move elsewhere close

Manchester United have rejected Paris St-Germain’s offer of striker Hugo Ekitike as the French champions look to sell the young talent, according to reports.

Despite heavy links with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, PSG contacted Manchester United, and several other clubs, over the possibility of a deal involving the 21-year-old Frenchman, as per German outlet fussball.news.

It is likely that this offer was just a negotiation tactic from the French champions, who are looking to get their money’s worth from Frankfurt should a move be finalised.

After a season-long loan from Reims last season – where Ekitike scored three goals in 25 appearances – PSG signed the striker for a reported fee of €28.5million plus €6.5m in bonuses.

Since his permanent signing, Ekitike has only featured once for his new club, a nine-minute cameo off of the bench in a 0-0 draw with Lorient.

However, Frankfurt are reportedly looking to secure the Frenchman’s signature for no more than €20m before the end of the transfer window on Thursday.

But, according to reports in France, PSG are demanding €30m for Ekitike – who is eager for the move to secure regular game time alongside Manchester United loanee Donny van de Beek – making the transfer talks difficult.

With Erik ten Hag reportedly unable to make any signings before the January transfer window closes without first making a major sale, this may have ruled Manchester United out of a deal for the striker.

Although the Red Devils have moved on Van de Beek, Hannibal Mejbri, Alvaro Fernandez, Jadon Sancho and Sergio Reguilon, all of them are on loan and therefore wouldn’t facilitate a new signing.

It is also possible that, with the improving form of summer signing Rasmus Højlund, Ten Hag didn’t see the need to sign a new striker in the January transfer window.

Højlund has four goals or assists in his previous four appearances, including the killer blow in last weekend’s FA Cup clash with Newport County, which finished 4-2 to Manchester United.

A loan may still be possible for Ekitike but a move to Newcastle United – who were linked with a move for him in 2022 – is believed to be more likely than joining Erik ten Hag’s squad.