Man Utd plan move for Bundesliga striker with 19 goals this season and 'lifelong Reds fan'

Manchester United are intensifying their hunt for a new striker, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike emerging as a top target for the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old Frenchman has caught the eye of Red Devils scouts with a stellar season, scoring 19 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions, a tally that starkly contrasts United’s faltering attack as they languish in 13th in the Premier League.

Head coach Ruben Amorim, under scrutiny to reverse the club’s fortunes, sees Ekitike as the spark needed to reignite a frontline that’s struggled for consistency in the 2024-2025 campaign.

The former Paris Saint-Germain loanee, who joined Frankfurt permanently last summer for £13.2million, has blossomed into one of Europe’s hottest prospects.

United hold a trump card: Ekitike is a lifelong Manchester United fan, a fact that could sway him toward Old Trafford despite rival bids from Arsenal, Liverpool, Juventus, and Newcastle—the latter having nearly nabbed him from Stade Reims in 2022.

Frankfurt, riding high on his contributions, are poised to play hardball, demanding £67million (€80million) for their star striker. That fee reflects his breakout Bundesliga form and a 20% sell-on clause owed to PSG, but it’s a steep ask for a United side grappling with INEOS-imposed financial constraints under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s oversight.

Mario Götze, Ekitike’s teammate, recently lauded his “dribbling skills, clinical finishing, and electric pace,” amplifying the buzz around his potential.

The Daily Star frames this as a pivotal move for Amorim, who’s yet to fully imprint his mark since taking charge. With Marcus Rashford thriving on loan at Aston Villa and Bruno Fernandes linked to Real Madrid, Ekitike could be the cornerstone of a refreshed attack.

For fans weary of the Glazer era’s stagnation, his arrival promises a return to the flair United once wielded. Posts on X suggest excitement but skepticism—can United outmuscle wealthier suitors? As the Manchester Derby looms on April 6, Ekitike’s prospective signing offers a glimmer of hope amid a turbulent season.