Manchester United Intensifies Pursuit of Hugo Ekitiké
Manchester United has reportedly intensified its pursuit of Hugo Ekitiké, the highly coveted 22-year-old striker who has also attracted interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, and Newcastle. As the player prepares for a likely departure from Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain stands to benefit from any potential transfer due to a 20% sell-on clause included in his original transfer agreement.
Competitive Interest from Premier League Clubs
Ekitiké is seen as a promising option among Premier League clubs, particularly by Newcastle, who view him as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak. The Magpies have followed his development since his days at PSG, but they now face competition from Manchester United, which is reportedly taking substantial steps towards securing the French forward as part of their summer recruitment plans.
Sources from Football Insider suggest that Manchester United is meticulously tracking Ekitiké’s performance in Germany and is considering a strategic move to bolster their attacking line, aiming to provide more support for Rasmus Hojlund as they finalize their roster.
Negotiations and Financial Implications
According to CaughtOffside, United is in the “advanced stages” of discussions internally, focusing on a formal bid that is expected to initiate at around €60 million (approximately £50 million). However, Frankfurt is holding out for a price closer to €80–90 million (£67 million to £75.5 million) for Ekitiké, indicating that negotiations may become more complex as both clubs aim to reach an agreement on the young talent’s transfer.
This evolving situation highlights the competitive nature of the summer transfer market, particularly regarding promising young talents, and underscores the financial implications for all parties involved, including PSG’s expected financial gain from Ekitiké’s sale.
