Report: United exploring £85m deal for Bundesliga forward | OneFootball

Man Utd Join Hugo Ekitike Chase: Sky Germany Report Sparks Transfer Buzz

Ekitike Drawing Premier League Attention

Manchester United have entered the hunt for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, according to a report by Sky Sports Germany. The 22-year-old, who joined Frankfurt in January 2024 from Paris Saint-Germain, is attracting serious interest despite limited game time last season.

The report claims that United are currently “exploring the conditions of a potential deal” for the French striker, who still has four years remaining on his contract. Frankfurt are reportedly demanding a hefty £85 million (€100 million) fee.

Big Price Tag, Big Potential

Ekitike’s value might raise eyebrows, particularly considering his short stint in the Bundesliga. After a turbulent spell at PSG, his loan to Frankfurt turned permanent midway through the 2023/24 campaign. While he wasn’t a regular starter in Germany, scouts continue to be drawn to his raw attributes: height, pace, and an eye for goal when given chances.

Sky Germany’s report offers little detail on how advanced negotiations may be, but it’s clear Manchester United are keeping tabs. “It is understood they are exploring the conditions of a potential deal,” they write, suggesting United are sounding out whether the valuation or player interest makes a transfer viable.

United’s Transfer Strategy Under Scrutiny

With United’s forward line still unsettled, the Red Devils are expected to dip into the market for another attacker this summer. Rasmus Højlund remains a developing talent, but depth is an issue.

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In that context, Ekitike could be seen as a longer-term project, someone who fits the club’s recruitment of emerging stars. Still, fans and pundits alike will question the wisdom of paying £85m for a player with only a handful of goals in Europe’s top leagues.

Frankfurt, on the other hand, will see this as a prime opportunity to profit. Signing Ekitike for a relatively modest fee and flipping him within six months would represent excellent business.

Could This Be a Smart Move?

If United can negotiate a lower fee, the move could make sense. At 22, Ekitike has room to grow—and United have a need for a undisputed first choice no.9.

The timing of this interest is also curious. With other top clubs yet to make decisive moves for forwards, United may be positioning themselves early to avoid a bidding war. But any serious negotiations will likely hinge on outgoing players and the club’s financial manoeuvring within Financial Fair Play regulations.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United fan’s perspective, the interest in Hugo Ekitike is a bold yet questionable move. On one hand, he fits the profile the club has been targeting in recent years: young, athletic, and potentially high-ceiling. But given his limited track record at the top level—both at PSG and Frankfurt—£85 million feels steep.

Supporters will want to see decisive but smart recruitment this summer. After a disappointing campaign where goals were hard to come by, any forward signing will be scrutinised. Ekitike has shown flashes of quality, but he’s far from the finished article. For that price, fans might expect someone more proven, particularly with Champions League ambitions in mind.

However, if the club sees Ekitike as a long-term investment and can negotiate a reduced fee or performance-based clauses, this could be a move with upside. It would be crucial that the coaching staff back him with minutes and a development plan—not another talent lost in the shuffle.

Ultimately, most fans will likely reserve judgement until more concrete developments emerge. But it’s fair to say this isn’t the marquee striker move many had hoped for—at least not yet.