Man Utd in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt for 'intelligent striker with strong link-up skills'

Manchester United have stepped up their striker search with a formal £85million enquiry for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, as the club looks to land a long-term number nine under the INEOS rebuild.

The 22-year-old France U21 international enjoyed a breakout season in Germany, scoring 15 league goals and adding 8 assists in all competitions.

He’s emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards—combining pace, technical quality, and strong movement in behind. With Viktor Gyökeres choosing Arsenal and Liam Delap opting for Chelsea, United have turned decisively to Ekitike as their top striker target.

Frankfurt are demanding the full €100m fee, up from previous estimates of around €80m, following Ekitike’s inclusion in the Bundesliga Team of the Season, reported TalkSport.

While the price tag is steep, United have made it clear they see him as a long-term solution to their lack of goals in key matches last season.

Ekitike is said to be open to a Premier League move and reportedly grew up supporting United—giving the Reds a potential edge over rivals like Chelsea and Liverpool, who have also shown interest.

Still, any deal will likely require significant outgoings first, with United needing to raise funds to stay within financial fair play limits.

United have opened conversations, becoming the first confirmed club to initiate actual contact with Frankfurt—ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

There are some concerns among scouts about his finishing consistency—his goals slightly underperformed his expected goals (xG) last season—but his overall profile fits exactly what Ruben Amorim is building: a mobile, intelligent striker capable of pressing and linking play.

With pre-season around the corner and United’s transfer business heating up, the push for Ekitike is shaping up to be one of the defining moves of the summer. But there is still a long way to go and United also need to work out what to do with Rasmus Hojlund who has been linked with a move to Inter.