Manchester United are considering a player plus cash deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who is subject to serious interest from both Liverpool and Newcastle United
Manchester United’s search for a striker this summer has not exactly been a secret, with the club failing to land several targets earlier in the window.
Liam Delap was the first option for Rúben Amorim’s side, and he seemed destined to join the club, but the former Manchester City player favoured a move to Chelsea to reunite with his former coach Enzo Maresca.
Then the deal for Matheus Cunha for completed for a fee of £62.5 million from Wolverhampton Wanderers; while the Brazilian can play down the middle, it appears he will play on the left of Amorim’s front three, as he did at Wolves.
Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen were two other options for the Red Devils, but both appear to have sealed moves away from their current clubs, with Gyokeres set to sign for Arsenal to bolster their bid for their first Premier League title since the days of Arsene Wenger.
Attention has now turned to Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, but if a deal can finally be agreed with the London-based club, Mbeumo is expected to play alongside Cunha behind the striker.
United eyeing Ekitike despite Premier League interest
As reported by CaughtOffside, United are interested in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike and have “made contact” with his representatives over a potential move.
Newcastle United and Liverpool have also been linked to the French centre forward, but a deal for Ekitke won’t come cheap, with Frankfurt demanding over £80 million for his services.
While the two other Premier League clubs could probably afford this, United would have to move on several players, including Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, before they could even come close to offering that much money.
Therefore, CaughtOffside have said that Jason Wilcox and the recruitment team may consider a player plus cash deal for Ekitike, as this would “speed up the transfer.”
The report doesn’t specify which player United would offer to Frankfurt, but it is likely to be one of the five players that looked set to leave Old Trafford at the beginning of the window.
Hojlund or Zirkzee could make way for Ekitike
Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee both struggled to lead the line for Amorim last season, with goals being particularly hard to come by for Hojlund.
Both strikers have been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, and that could become even more likely if United do manage to bring in a new centre forward.
With no European football next season, United will play significantly fewer games than they did last season, meaning a thinner squad will be necessary to keep everyone happy.
Chido Obi will want to play more senior games if he isn’t loaned out this summer, and having Højlund, Zirkzee, and a new centre forward in front of him doesn’t make sense for his development. At least one striker has to leave this summer.
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